Quantum Griffiths Phase Inside the Ferromagnetic Phase of Ni_{1-x}V_{x}.

We study by means of bulk and local probes the d-metal alloy Ni_{1-x}V_{x} close to the quantum critical concentration, x_{c}≈11.6%, where the ferromagnetic transition temperature vanishes. The magnetization-field curve in the ferromagnetic phase takes an anomalous power-law form with a nonuniversal exponent that is strongly x dependent and mirrors the behavior in the paramagnetic phase. Muon spin rotation experiments demonstrate inhomogeneous magnetic order and indicate the presence of dynamic fluctuating magnetic clusters. These results provide strong evidence for a quantum Griffiths phase on the ferromagnetic side of the quantum phase transition.

Quantum Griffiths phase in the weak itinerant ferromagnetic alloy Ni(1-x)V(x).

We present magnetization (M) data of the d-metal alloy Ni(1-x)V(x) at vanadium concentrations close to x(c) approximately = 11.4% where the onset of long-range ferromagnetic (FM) order is suppressed to zero temperature. Above x(c), the temperature (T) and magnetic field (H) dependencies of the magnetization are best described by simple nonuniversal power laws. The exponents of M/H approximately T(-gamma) and M approximately H(alpha) are related by 1-gamma = alpha for wide temperature (10 < T < or = 300 K) and field (H < or = 5 T) ranges. gamma is strongly x dependent, decreasing from 1 at x approximately = x(c) to gamma < 0.1 for x = 15%. This behavior is not compatible with either classical or quantum critical behavior in a clean 3D FM. Instead it closely follows the predictions for a quantum Griffiths phase associated with a quantum phase transition in a disordered metal. Deviations at the lowest temperatures hint at a freezing of large clusters and the onset of a cluster glass phase.

Signatures of a quantum Griffiths phase in a d-metal alloy close to its ferromagnetic quantum critical point.

We report magnetization measurements close to the ferromagnetic quantum phase transition of the d-metal alloy Ni(1 - x)V(x) at a vanadium concentration of x(c)≈11.4%. In the diluted regime (x > x(c)), the temperature (T) and magnetic field (H) dependences of the magnetization are characterized by nonuniversal power laws and display H/T scaling in a wide temperature and field range. The exponents vary strongly with x and follow the predictions of a quantum Griffiths phase. We also discuss the deviations and limits of the quantum Griffiths phase as well as the phase boundaries due to bulk and cluster physics.