Ferromagnetic quantum critical point induced by dimer-breaking in SrCo{sub 2}(Ge{sub 1-x}P{sub x}){sub 2}

In contrast to classical phase transitions driven by temperature, a quantum critical point (QCP) defines a transition at zero temperature that is driven by non-thermal parameters. In the known quantum critical d-electron systems, tuning the electronic bandwidth by means of changing the applied press...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature physics 2011-01, Vol.7 (2011)
Main Authors: Jia, S., Jiramongkolchai, P., Suchomel, M. R., Toby, B. H., Checkelsky, J. G., Ong, N. P., Cava, R. J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
CHEMICAL BONDS
CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS
CRITICALITY
DIMENSIONS
DIMERS
FERROMAGNETISM
MAGNETIC MATERIALS
TUNING
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Summary:In contrast to classical phase transitions driven by temperature, a quantum critical point (QCP) defines a transition at zero temperature that is driven by non-thermal parameters. In the known quantum critical d-electron systems, tuning the electronic bandwidth by means of changing the applied pressure or unit-cell dimensions, or tuning the d-state population, is used to drive the criticality. Here we describe how a novel chemical parameter, the breaking of bonds in Ge-Ge dimers that occurs within the intermetallic framework in SrCo{sub 2}(Ge{sub 1-x}P{sub x}){sub 2}, results in the appearance of a ferromagnetic (FM) QCP. Although both SrCo{sub 2}P{sub 2} and SrCo{sub 2}Ge{sub 2} are paramagnetic, weak itinerant ferromagnetism unexpectedly develops during the course of the dimer breaking, and a QCP is observed at the onset of the FM phase. The use of chemical bond breaking as a tuning parameter to induce QCP opens an avenue for designing and studying novel magnetic materials.
ISSN:1745-2473
1745-2481
DOI:10.1038/nphys1868