Ferro-octupolar Order and Low-Energy Excitations in d<sup>2</sup> Double Perovskites of Osmium

Author(s)
Leonid V. Pourovskii, Dario Fiore Mosca, Cesare Franchini
Abstract

Conflicting interpretations of experimental data preclude the understanding of the quantum magnetic state of spin-orbit coupled d2 double perovskites. Whether the ground state is a Janh-Teller-distorted order of quadrupoles or the hitherto elusive octupolar order remains debated. We resolve this uncertainty through direct calculations of all-rank intersite exchange interactions and inelastic neutron scattering cross section for the d2 double perovskite series Ba2MOsO6 (M=Ca, Mg, Zn). Using advanced many-body first-principles methods, we show that the ground state is formed by ferro-ordered octupoles coupled by superexchange interactions within the ground-state Eg doublet. Computed ordering temperature of the single second-order phase transition is consistent with experimentally observed material-dependent trends. Minuscule distortions of the parent cubic structure are shown to qualitatively modify the structure of gaped magnetic excitations.

Organisation(s)
Computational Materials Physics
External organisation(s)
Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Collège de France, University of Bologna
Journal
Physical Review Letters
Volume
127
No. of pages
6
ISSN
0031-9007
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.127.237201
Publication date
11-2021
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
103015 Condensed matter, 103018 Materials physics
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
General Physics and Astronomy
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/11b136ae-0c27-4138-86be-4d4173b88ad5