Interface double-exchange ferromagnetism in the Mn-Zn-O system: new class of biphase magnetism

In this Letter, we experimentally show that the room temperature ferromagnetism in the Mn-Zn-O system recently observed is associated with the coexistence of Mn(3+) and Mn(4+) via a double-exchange mechanism. The presence of the ZnO around MnO(2) modifies the kinetics of MnO(2)-->Mn(2)O(3) reduction and favors the coexistence of both Mn oxidation states. The ferromagnetic phase is associated with the interface formed at the Zn diffusion front into Mn oxide, corroborated by preparing thin film multilayers that exhibit saturation magnetization 2 orders of magnitude higher than bulk samples.     

Evolution of structural and magnetic properties with varying oxygen content in low-bandwidth manganite Pr0.9Ca0.1MnO3 thin films

The effects of ex situ vacuum and oxygen annealing treatments on thin films of the low-bandwidth compound Pr(1-x)Ca(x)MnO(3) (PCMO) are investigated. Structural and magnetic measurements reveal that increased ferromagnetism can be achieved by oxygen annealing treatment, which is linked to the increased Mn(4+) ion content, as observed from x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements, as well as relaxation of the substrate-induced tensile strain of the PCMO unit cell. The increased number of Mn(4+) ions and partial release of strain lead to stronger double-exchange interaction in the system. Vacuum annealing increases the ferromagnetic (FM) interaction as well; however, the increased FM ordering is not directly related to the improved double-exchange interaction, as XPS measurement reveals an indication of a slight increase in Mn(3+) ions in this case. Trapping of carriers in the oxygen vacancies and formation of magnetic polarons have been suggested as the causes of the increase in ferromagnetic ordering, and this is also supported by the large coercivity and longer spin memory in the vacuum annealed PCMO.     

Phase diagram of a model for diluted magnetic semiconductors beyond mean-field approximations

A lattice spin-fermion model for diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMS) is investigated numerically, improving on previously used mean-field approximations. Curie temperatures are obtained varying the Mn spin x and hole n densities, and the impurity-hole exchange J in units of the hop-ping t. Optimal values are found in the subtle intermediate regime between itinerant and localized carriers. At intermediate and large J/t, a "clustered" state is observed above the Curie temperature and ferromagnetism is suppressed. Formal analogies between DMS and manganites are discussed.     

Quantum Monte Carlo study on the phase transition for a generalized two-dimensional staggered dimerized Heisenberg model

In order to gain a deeper understanding of the quantum criticality in the explicitly staggered dimerized Heisenberg models,we study a generalized staggered dimer model named the J0-J1-J2 model,which corresponds to the staggered J-J ' model on a square lattice and a honeycomb lattice when J1/J0 equals 1 and 0,respectively.Using the quantum Monte Carlo method,we investigate all the quantum critical points of these models with J1/J0 changing from 0 to 1 as a function of coupling ratio α=J2/J0.We extract all the critical values of the coupling ratio αc for these models,and we also obtain the critical exponents ν,β/ν,and η using different finite-size scaling anstz,.All these exponents are not consistent with the three-dimensional Heisenberg universality class,indicating some unconventional quantum ciritcial points in these models.     

On the universality class of the 3d Ising model with long-range-correlated disorder

We analyze a controversial topic about the universality class of the three-dimensional Ising model with long-range-correlated disorder. Whereas both theoretical and numerical studies agree on the validity of the extended Harris criterion [A. Weinrib, B.I. Halperin, Phys. Rev. B 27 (1983) 413] and indicate the existence of a new universality class, numerical values of the critical exponents found so far differ considerably. To resolve this discrepancy we perform extensive Monte Carlo simulations of a 3d Ising model with non-magnetic impurities being arranged in a form of lines along randomly chosen axes of a lattice. The Swendsen-Wang algorithm is used alongside with a histogram reweighting technique and finite-size scaling analysis to evaluate the values of critical exponents governing magnetic phase transition. Our estimates for these exponents differ from both previous numerical simulations and are in favor of a non-trivial dependency of the critical exponents on the peculiarities of long-range correlation decay.     

Static critical behavior of 3D frustrated Heisenberg model on stacked triangular lattice with variable interlayer exchange coupling

Several Monte Carlo algorithms are used to examine the critical behavior of the 3D frustrated Heisenberg model on stacked triangular lattice with variable interlayer exchange coupling for values of the interlayer-to-intralayer exchange ratio R = |′/J| in the interval between 0.01 and 1.0. A finite-size scaling technique is used to calculate the static magnetic and chiral critical exponents α (specific heat), γ and γ_k (susceptibility), β and β_k(magnetization), ν and ν_k(correlation length), and the Fisher exponent η. It is shown that 3D frustrated Heisenberg models on stacked triangular lattice with R > 0.05 constitute a new universality class of critical behavior. At lower R, a crossover from 3D to 2D critical behavior is observed.     

Local atomic structure around Mn ions in GaN:Mn thin films: Quantitative XANES analysis

GaN:Mn dilute magnetic semiconductors with zinc-blende type of lattice and room temperature ferromagnetism were investigated by the X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) with a high accuracy approach of the multidimensional interpolation, which makes it possible to determine the nanoscale local atomic structure around Mn impurities. It is found that Mn atoms are substantially incorporated into the GaN lattice and Jahn-Teller distortion around Mn atom is observed. Our results show that symmetry changes around Mn atom influence on XANES spectrum significantly. Furthermore, the possible impact of local distortions on the magnetic properties is discussed.     

Critical behavior of a stochastic anisotropic Bak–Sneppen model

In this paper we present our study on the critical behavior of a stochastic anisotropic Bak–Sneppen (saBS) model, in which a parameter α is introduced to describe the interaction strength among nearest species. We estimate the threshold fitness f _c and the critical exponent τ _r by numerically integrating a master equation for the distribution of avalanche spatial sizes. Other critical exponents are then evaluated from previously known scaling relations. The numerical results are in good agreement with the counterparts yielded by the Monte Carlo simulations. Our results indicate that all saBS models with nonzero interaction strength exhibit self-organized criticality, and fall into the same universality class, by sharing the universal critical exponents.     

NMR probe of phase segregation in electron doped mixed valence manganites

A 55Mn and 139La NMR study of La0.35Ca0.65MnO3 is reported. The zero field 55Mn spectra consist of two lines centered at 290 and 375 MHz. Their behavior under an applied magnetic field makes it possible to attribute them to regions of antiferromagnetically and ferromagnetically coupled Mn spins, respectively. This gives evidence for the existence of electronic phase segregation of microscopic ferromagnetic regions of double exchange coupled Mn spins over a charge ordered antiferromagnetic background. The behavior of these ferromagnetic regions in the applied magnetic field is related to the magnetoresistive properties of the manganites.     

Investigation of the critical properties of the frustrated Heisenberg model on a triangular lattice by the Monte Carlo method

The critical properties of the 3D frustrated antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model on a triangular lattice have been investigated by the replica Monte Carlo method. All main magnetic and chiral critical indices were calculated using the finite-size scaling theory. It is found that the class of universality of the critical behavior of the model studied depends on the type of interplane exchange interaction.     

Universal properties of Ising clusters and droplets near criticality

Clusters and droplets of positive spins in the two-dimensional Ising model percolate at the Curie temperature in absence of external field. The percolative exponents coincide with the magnetic ones for droplets but not for clusters. We use integrable field theory to determine amplitude ratios which characterize the approach to criticality within these two universality classes of percolative critical behavior.     

Shear strain in Nd0.5Ca0.5MnO3 at high pressures

High-pressure x-ray powder diffraction has been measured on the half doped rare earth manganite Nd0.5Ca0.5MnO3 up to a pressure of 15 GPa. We report the presence of a quantifiable amount of shear distortion of the MnO6 octahedra in Nd0.5Ca0.5MnO3 at high pressures. The lattice strain of Nd0.5Ca0.5MnO3 is minimal at a crossover pressure of p* approximately 7 GPa, with the same lattice strain above and below this pressure achieved by shear and Jahn-Teller-type distortions, respectively. The increase in shear strain with increasing pressure provides a mechanism for the insulating behavior of manganites at high pressures that has not been considered before.     

Effect of impurity ions configurations on the magnetic properties of Mn-doped ZnO

The magnetic and electronic properties of Mn-doped ZnO are studied by first-principles calculations. It is found that the exchange interaction between Mn ions depends on the Mn-Mn distribution configuration and distance. We also found that the ferromagnetism can be existed when the Mn-Mn distance is large and Mn ions are distributed uniformly, and the long ranged ferromagnetism is explained by the interaction between Mn and O atoms. Thus, it is possible to tune ferromagnetism in Mn-doped ZnO semiconductors by controlling the doping position in ZnO lattice.     

Monte Carlo investigation of phase transitions in the frustrated Heisenberg model on a triangular lattice

The critical properties and phase transitions of the three-dimensional frustrated antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model on a triangular lattice have been investigated using the Monte Carlo method with a replica algorithm. The critical temperature has been determined and the character of the phase transitions has been analyzed using the method of fourth-order Binder cumulants. A second-order phase transition has been found in the three-dimensional frustrated Heisenberg model on a triangular lattice. The static magnetic and chiral critical exponents of the heat capacity α, the susceptibility γ and γ _k , the magnetization β and β _k , the correlation length ν and ν _k , as well as the Fisher exponents η and η _k , have been calculated in terms of the finite-size scaling theory. It has been demonstrated that the three-dimensional frustrated antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model on a triangular lattice forms a new universality class of the critical behavior.     

Bethe ansatz calculations for the eight-vertex model on a finite strip

Bethe ansatz equations for the eigenvalues of the transfer matrix of the eight-vertex model are solved numerically to yield mass gap data on infinitely long strips of up to 512 sites in width. The finite-size corrections, at criticality, to the free energy per site and polarization gap are found to be in agreement with recent studies of theXXZ spin chain. The leading corrections to the finite-size scaling estimates of the critical line and thermal exponent are also found, providing an explanation of the poor convergence seen in earlier studies. Away from criticality, the linear scaling fields are derived exactly in the full parameter space of the spin system, allowing a thorough test of a recently proposed method of extracting linear scaling fields and related exponents from finite lattice data.     

Magnetic phase transition and the corresponding magnetostriction of intermetallic compounds RMnsGe2（R=Sm,Gd）

The temperature dependence of lattice constants a and c of intermetallic compounds RMn₂Ge₂ (R=Sm, Gd) is measured in the temperature range 10－800K by using the x-ray diffraction method. The magnetoelastic anomalies of lattice constants are found at the different kinds of spontaneous magnetic transitions. The transversal and longitudinal magnetostrictions of polycrystalline samples are measured in the pulse magnetic field up to 25T. In the external magnetic field there occurs a first-order field-induced antiferromagnetism－ferromagnetism transition in the Mn sublattice, which gives rise to a large magnetostriction. The magnitude of magnetostrictions is as large as 10^-3. The transversal and longitudinal magnetostrictions have the same sign and are almost equal. This indicates that the magnetostriction is isotropic and mainly caused by the interlayer Mn－Mn exchange interaction. The experimental results are explained in the framework of a two-sublattice ferrimagnet with the negative exchange interaction in one of the sublattices by taking into account the lattice constant dependence of interlayer Mn－Mn exchange interaction.     

Nonequilibrium phase transition on a randomly diluted lattice

We show that the interplay between geometric criticality and dynamical fluctuations leads to a novel universality class of the contact process on a randomly diluted lattice. The nonequilibrium phase transition across the percolation threshold of the lattice is characterized by unconventional activated (exponential) dynamical scaling and strong Griffiths effects. We calculate the critical behavior in two and three space dimensions, and we also relate our results to the recently found infinite-randomness fixed point in the disordered one-dimensional contact process.     

Unraveling the nature of carrier-mediated ferromagnetism in diluted magnetic semiconductors

After more than a decade of intensive research in the field of diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMS), the nature and origin of ferromagnetism, especially in III–V compounds, is still controversial. Many questions and open issues are under intensive debates. Why after so many years of investigations, Mn-doped GaAs remains the candidate with the highest Curie temperature among the broad family of III–V materials doped with transition metal (TM) impurities? How can one understand that these temperatures are almost two orders of magnitude larger than that of hole-doped (Zn,Mn)Te or (Cd,Mn)Se? Is there any intrinsic limitation or is there any hope to reach room-temperature ferromagnetism in the dilute regime? How can one explain the proximity of (Ga,Mn)As to the metal–insulator transition and the change from Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yosida (RKKY) couplings in II–VI compounds to double-exchange type in (Ga,Mn)N? In spite of the great success of density functional theory-based studies to provide accurately the critical temperatures in various compounds, till very lately a theory that provides a coherent picture and understanding of the underlying physics was still missing. Recently, within a minimal model, it has been possible to show that among the physical parameters, the key one is the position of the TM acceptor level. By tuning the value of that parameter, one is able to explain quantitatively both magnetic and transport properties in a broad family of DMS. We will see that this minimal model explains in particular the RKKY nature of the exchange in (Zn,Mn)Te/(Cd,Mn)Te and the double exchange type in (Ga,Mn)N and simultaneously the reason why (Ga,Mn)As exhibits the highest critical temperature among both II–VI and III–V DMS's.     

Ferromagnetism and electron-phonon coupling in the manganites

The physics of ferromagnetic doped manganites, such as La 1-x Ca x MnO 3 with x ≈ 0.2-0.4, is reviewed. The concept of double exchange is discussed within the general framework of itinerant electron magnetism. The new feature in this context is the coupling of electrons to local phonon modes. Emphasis is placed on the quantum nature of the phonons and the link with polaron physics. However it is stressed that the manganites fall into an intermediate coupling regime where standard small-polaron theory does not apply. The recently-developed many-body coherent potential approximation is able to deal with this situation and Green's recent application to the Holstein double-exchange model is described. Issues addressed include the nature of the basic electronic structure, the metal-insulator transition, a unification of colossal magnetoresistance, pressure effects and the isotope effect, pseudogaps in spectroscopy and the effect of electron-phonon coupling on spin waves.     

A magnetic pair-breaking effect in rare earth-doped manganites

The magnetic properties of La_0.60R_0.07Di_0.33MnO₃ ferromagnetic manganites (Di = Sr, Ba) are studied, where La is partly replaced by magnetic rare earths R. It is shown that (i) there is a ferromagnetic coupling between Mn and R spins, (ii) the Curie temperature is lowered compared to the parent La compound and (iii) its depression is correlated with the effective moment of the rare earth ion. This last relation is tentatively explained by a magnetic pair-breaking effect, where fluctuating R moments lower the double-exchange coupling between Mn atoms.