Spin-lattice coupling in a ferrimagnetic spinel: Exotic H-T phase diagram of MnCr2S4 up to 110 T

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • A. Miyata - , Université Grenoble Alpes (Author)
  • H. Suwa - , University of Tennessee, Knoxville, The University of Tokyo (Author)
  • T. Nomura - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • L. Prodan - , ASM - Institute of Applied Physics (Author)
  • V. Felea - , Chair of Physics of High Magnetic Fields, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, ASM - Institute of Applied Physics (Author)
  • Y. Skourski - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • J. Deisenhofer - , Augsburg University (Author)
  • H. A.Krug Von Nidda - , Augsburg University (Author)
  • O. Portugall - , Université Grenoble Alpes (Author)
  • S. Zherlitsyn - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • V. Tsurkan - , ASM - Institute of Applied Physics, Augsburg University (Author)
  • J. Wosnitza - , Clusters of Excellence ct.qmat: Complexity and Topology in Quantum Matter, Chair of Physics of High Magnetic Fields, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • A. Loidl - , Augsburg University (Author)

Abstract

In antiferromagnets, the interplay of spin frustration and spin-lattice coupling has been extensively studied as the source of complex spin patterns and exotic magnetism. Here, we demonstrate that, although neglected in the past, the spin-lattice coupling is essential to ferrimagnetic spinels as well. We performed ultrahigh-field magnetization measurements up to 110 T on a Yafet-Kittel ferrimagnetic spinel, MnCr2S4, which was complemented by measurements of magnetostriction and sound velocities up to 60 T. Classical Monte Carlo calculations were performed to identify the complex high-field spin structures. Our minimal model incorporating spin-lattice coupling accounts for the experimental results and corroborates the complete phase diagram, including two new high-field phase transitions at 75 and 85 T. Magnetoelastic coupling induces striking effects: An extremely robust magnetization plateau is embedded between two unconventional spin-asymmetric phases. Ferrimagnetic spinels provide a new platform to study asymmetric and multiferroic phases stabilized by spin-lattice coupling.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number054432
JournalPhysical Review B
Volume101
Issue number5
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2020
Peer-reviewedYes