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Modification of spin-ice physics in Ho2Ti2O7 thin films.
Kevin Barry1,2, Biwen Zhang1,2, Naween Anand2
1Department of Physics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32310, USA.
Physical Review Materials
|April 15, 2024
Summary
Substrate orientation significantly impacts spin-ice physics in Holmium Titanate thin films. Defects and strain alter magnetic properties, with only (110) films showing a clear spin-ice plateau state.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Magnetism
Background:
- Spin ice materials exhibit unique magnetic properties arising from frustrated interactions.
- Thin film heterostructures offer tunable platforms for exploring emergent phenomena.
- Holmium Titanate (Ho2Ti2O7) is a canonical spin ice material.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the influence of substrate orientation, strain, stoichiometry, and defects on spin ice physics in Ho2Ti2O7 thin films.
- Determine how growth conditions affect the magnetic behavior and phase transitions.
- Correlate structural properties with observed magnetic phenomena.
Main Methods:
- Epitaxial growth of Ho2Ti2O7 thin films on yttria-stabilized-zirconia substrates with varying orientations.
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for structural analysis and defect identification.
- Magnetization measurements at 1.8 K to probe magnetic anisotropy and phase behavior.
- Neutron scattering to investigate magnetic correlations and phase transitions.
Main Results:
- Different substrate orientations induce varying strain states and lattice parameters in the films.
- Antisite disorder and growth defects are present, with the (110) film exhibiting the least disorder.
- All films show magnetic anisotropy, but only the (110) orientation displays a spin-ice plateau state.
- Neutron scattering reveals the Q=0 phase in disordered films, but the Q=X phase associated with the plateau remains elusive.
Conclusions:
- Spin ice physics in Ho2Ti2O7 thin films is significantly modified by substrate-induced strain and intrinsic defects.
- Growth orientation plays a crucial role in determining the presence and quality of the spin-ice state.
- Defects and strain reduce the temperature for spin correlations, impacting the emergence of the spin-ice state.
