Frustration and Glasslike Character in RIn1- xMn xO3 (R = Tb, Dy, Gd).

We bring together ac susceptibility and dc magnetization to uncover the rich magnetic field-temperature behavior of a series of rare earth indium oxides, RInO3 (R = Tb, Dy, and Gd). The degree of frustration is much larger than expected, particularly in TbInO3, and the ground states are glasslike with antiferromagnetic tendencies. The activation energy for spin reorientation is low. Chemical substitution with Mn3+ ions to form TbIn1- xMn xO3 ( x ≤ 0.01) relieves much of the frustration that characterizes the parent compound and slightly enhances the short-range antiferromagnetic order. The phase diagrams developed from this work reveal the rich competition between spin orders and provide an opportunity to compare the dynamics in the RInO3 and Mn-substituted systems. These structure-property relations may be useful for understanding magnetism in other geometrically frustrated multiferroics.

Spin-Lattice Coupling in [Ni(HF2)(pyrazine)2]SbF6 Involving the HF2- Superexchange Pathway.

Magnetoelastic coupling in the quantum magnet [Ni(HF2)(pyrazine)2]SbF6 has been investigated via vibrational spectroscopy using temperature, magnetic field, and pressure as tuning parameters. While pyrazine is known to be a malleable magnetic superexchange ligand, we find that HF2- is surprisingly sensitive to external stimuli and is actively involved in both the magnetic quantum phase transition and the series of pressure-induced structural distortions. The amplified spin-lattice interactions involving the bifluoride ligand can be understood in terms of the relative importance of the intra- and interplanar magnetic energy scales.

Magnetic field control of charge excitations in CoFe2O4.

We combine magnetic circular dichroism and photoconductivity with prior optical absorption and first principles calculations to unravel spin-charge interactions in the high Curie temperature magnet CoFe2O4. In addition to revising the bandgap hierarchy, we reveal a broad set of charge transfer excitations in the spin down channel which are sensitive to the metamagnetic transition involving the spin state on Co centers. We also show photoconductivity that depends on an applied magnetic field. These findings open the door for the creation and control of spin-polarized electronic excitations from the minority channel charge transfer in spinel ferrites and other earth-abundant materials.