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CoNb$_2$O$_6$ is a rare realization of the transverse field Ising model (TFIM), making it a useful tool for studying both equilibrium and non-equilibrium many-body quantum physics. Despite a large body of work dedicated to characterizing this material, details of the ordered states in the presence of relatively weak transverse fields have not been discussed in detail. Here, we present a detailed study of CoNb$_2$O$_6$ via ac susceptibility measurements in order to further characterize its low temperature behavior in the presence of a transverse field. Specifically, we call attention to an unconventional freezing transition in zero-field below T$_F$ = 1.2~K, occurring \emph{within} the well-known commensurate antiferromagnetic (CAFM) state that onsets at $T_{N2}$ = 1.9~K. We performed a series of transverse-field quenches into this frozen state, which resulted in a slowly relaxing susceptibility, $\chi^{\prime}(t)$, that followed a logarithmic decay within the time range measured. We discuss the frozen state in the context of the freezing of previously discussed "free" chains arising from domain walls between the four degenerate sublattices of the CAFM state. We also attempted to observe Kibble-Zurek scaling by quenching the transverse field into the frozen state at different rates. This produced a null result; the behavior can be fully explained by coarsening of domains over the timescale of the quenches. The absence of a clear Kibble-Zurek scaling is itself surprising, given the proposed ubiquity of the phenomenon for general second order phase transitions.

We report inelastic neutron scattering measurements from our newly synthesized single crystals of the structurally metastable antiferromagnetic pyrochlore Yb$_{2}$Ge$_{2}$O$_{7}$. We determine the four symmetry-allowed nearest-neighbor anisotropic exchange parameters via fits to linear spin wave theory supplemented by fits of the high-temperature specific heat. The exchange parameters so-determined are strongly correlated to the values determined for the $g$-tensor components, as previously observed for the related Yb pyrochlore Yb$_{2}$Ti$_{2}$O$_{7}$. To address this issue, we directly determined the $g$-tensor from electron paramagnetic resonance of 1% Yb-doped Lu$_{2}$Ge$_{2}$O$_{7}$, thus enabling an unambiguous determination of the exchange parameters. Our results show that Yb$_{2}$Ge$_{2}$O$_{7}$ resides extremely close to the classical phase boundary between an antiferromagnetic $\Gamma_5$ phase and a splayed ferromagnet phase. By juxtaposing our results with recent ones on Yb$_{2}$Ti$_{2}$O$_{7}$, our work illustrates that the Yb pyrochlore oxides represent ideal systems for studying quantum magnets in close proximity to classical phase boundaries.

Features of low dimensional magnetism resulting from a square-net arrangement of Co atoms in trirutile CoTa$_2$O$_6$ is studied in the present work by means of density functional theory and is compared with the experimental results of specific heat and neutron diffraction. The small total energy differences between the ferromagnetic (FM) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) configuration of CoTa$_2$O$_6$ shows that competing magnetic ground states exist, with the possibility of transition from FM to AFM phase at low temperature. Our calculation further suggests the semi-conducting behavior for CoTa$_2$O$_6$ with a band gap of $\sim$0.41 eV. The calculated magnetic anisotropy energy is $\sim$2.5 meV with its easy axis along the [100] (in-plane) direction. Studying the evolution of magnetism in Co$_{1-x}$Mg$_x$Ta$_2$O$_6$ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1). it is found that the sharp AFM transition exhibited by CoTa$_2$O$_6$ at $T_N$ = 6.2 K in its heat capacity vanishes with Mg-dilution, indicating the obvious effect of weakening the superexchange pathways of Co. The current specific heat study reveals the robust nature of $T_N$ for CoTa$_2$O$_6$ in applied magnetic fields. Clear indication of short-range magnetism is obtained from the magnetic entropy, however, diffuse components are absent in neutron diffraction data. At $T_N$, CoTa$_2$O$_6$ enters a long-range ordered magnetic state which can be described using a propagation vector, (1/4, 1/4, 0). Upon Mg-dilution at $x \geq$0.1, the long-range ordered magnetism is destroyed. The present results should motivate an investigation of magnetic excitations in this low-dimensional anisotropic magnet., Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, double column. Accepted to Phys Rev B

The magnetism in the saw-tooth lattice of Mn in the olivine chalcogenides, Mn$_2$SiS$_{4-x}$Se$_x$ ($x$ = 1$\textendash$4) is studied in detail by analyzing their magnetization, specific heat and thermal conductivity properties and complemented with density functional theory calculations. The air-stable chalcogenides are antiferromagnets and show a linear trend in the transition temperature, $T_N$ as a function of Se-content ($x$) which shows a decrease from $T_N \approx$ 86~K for {\mss} to 66~K for {\msse}. Additional new magnetic anomalies are revealed at low temperatures for all the compositions. Magnetization irreversibilities are also observed as a function of $x$. The specific heat and the magnetic entropy indicate the presence of short-range spin fluctuations in Mn$_2$SiS$_{4-x}$Se$_x$. A spin-flop antiferromagnetic phase transition in the presence of applied magnetic field is present in Mn$_2$SiS$_{4-x}$Se$_x$, where the critical field for the spin flop increases from $x$ = 0 towards 4 in a non-linear fashion. Density functional theory calculations show that an overall antiferromagnetic structure with ferromagnetic coupling of the spins in the $ab$-plane minimizes the total energy. The band structures calculated for \mss\ and \msse\ reveal features near the band edges similar to those reported for Fe-based olivines suggested as thermoelectrics; however the experimentally determined thermal transport data do not support superior thermoelectric features. The transition from long-range magnetic order in \mss\ to short-range order and spin fluctuations in \msse\ is explained using the variation of the Mn-Mn distances in the triangle units that constitutes the saw-tooth lattice upon progressive replacement of sulphur with selenium., Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, submitted to PRB

The magnetism of the double perovskite compounds \SLFCOx\ ($x$ = 0, 1, 2) are contrasted using magnetization, neutron diffraction and electron paramagnetic resonance with the support from density functional theory calculations. \LFCO\ is identified as a long-range ordered antiferromagnet displaying a near-room temperature transition at $T_N$ = 270~K, accompanied by a low temperature structural phase transition at $T_S$ = 200~K. The structural phase transformation at $T_S$ occurs from $R\overline{3}c$ at 300~K to $Pnma$ at 200~K. The density functional theory calculations support an insulating non-compensated AFM structure. The long-range ordered magnetism of \LFCO\ transforms to short-range glassy magnetism as La is replaced with Sr in the other two compounds. The magnetism of \LFCO\ is differentiated from the non-equilibrium glassy features of \SFCO\ and \SLFCO\ using the {\em cooling-and-heating-in-unequal-fields} (CHUF) magnetization protocols. This contransting magnetism in the \SLFCOx\ series is evidenced in electron paramegnetic resonance studies. The electronic density-of-states estimated using the density functional theory calculations contrast the insulating feature of \LFCO\ from the metallic nature of \SFCO. From the present suite of experimental and computational results on \SLFCOx, it emerges that the electronic degrees of freedom, along with antisite disorder, play an important role in controlling the magnetism observed in double perovskites., Comment: 9 pages double column, 5 figures, accepted to PRB

The quantum dimer magnet (QDM) is the canonical example of quantum magnetism. The QDM state consists of entangled nearest-neighbor spin dimers and often exhibits a field-induced triplon Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) phase. We report on a new QDM in the strongly spin-orbit coupled, distorted honeycomb-lattice material Yb$_2$Si$_2$O$_7$. Our single crystal neutron scattering, specific heat, and ultrasound velocity measurements reveal a gapped singlet ground state at zero field with sharp, dispersive excitations. We find a field-induced magnetically ordered phase reminiscent of a BEC phase, with exceptionally low critical fields of $H_{c1} \sim 0.4$ T and $H_{c2} \sim 1.4$ T. Using inelastic neutron scattering in an applied magnetic field we observe a Goldstone mode (gapless to within $\delta E$ = 0.037 meV) that persists throughout the entire field-induced magnetically ordered phase, suggestive of the spontaneous breaking of U(1) symmetry expected for a triplon BEC. However, in contrast to other well-known cases of this phase, the high-field ($\mu$$_0$$H\geq1.2$T) part of the phase diagram in Yb$_2$Si$_2$O$_7$ is interrupted by an unusual regime signaled by a change in the field dependence of the ultrasound velocity and magnetization, as well as the disappearance of a sharp anomaly in the specific heat. These measurements raise the question of how anisotropy in strongly spin-orbit coupled materials modifies the field induced phases of QDMs., Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, 12 pages of Supplemental Information, 15 Supplemental figures. Updated to published version

The breathing pyrochlore lattice material Ba$_3$Yb$_2$Zn$_5$O$_{11}$ exists in the nearly decoupled limit, in contrast to most other well-studied breathing pyrochlore compounds. As a result, it constitutes a useful platform to benchmark theoretical calculations of exchange interactions in insulating Yb$^{3+}$ magnets. Here we study Ba$_3$Yb$_2$Zn$_5$O$_{11}$ at low temperatures in applied magnetic fields as a further probe of the physics of this model system. Experimentally, we consider the behavior of polycrystalline samples of Ba$_3$Yb$_2$Zn$_5$O$_{11}$ with a combination of inelastic neutron scattering and heat capacity measurements down to 75 mK and up to fields of 10 T. Consistent with previous work, inelastic neutron scattering finds a level crossing near 3 T, but no significant dispersion of the spin excitations is detected up to the highest applied fields. Refinement of the theoretical model previously determined at zero field can reproduce much of the inelastic neutron scattering spectra and specific heat data. A notable exception is a low temperature peak in the specific heat near 0.1 K. This may indicate the scale of interactions between tetrahedra or may reflect undetected disorder in Ba$_3$Yb$_2$Zn$_5$O$_{11}$., Comment: 7 pages 4 figures

The study of hyperfine interaction by high-resolution inelastic neutron scattering is not very well known compared to the other competing techniques viz. NMR, M\"ossbauer, PACS etc. Also the study is limited mostly to magnetically ordered systems. Here we report such study on Sr$_{2-x}$La$_x$FeCoO$_6$ (x = 0, 1, 2) of which first (Sr$_2$FeCoO$_6$ with x = 0) has a canonical spin spin glass, the second (SrLaFeCoO$_6$ with x = 1) has a so-called magnetic glass and the third (La$_2$FeCoO$_6$ with x = 2) has a magnetically ordered ground state. Our present study revealed clear inelastic signal for SrLaFeCoO$_6$, possibly also inelastic signal for Sr$_2$FeCoO$_6$ below the spin freezing temperatures $T_{sf}$ but no inelastic signal at all for for the magnetically ordered La$_2$FeCoO$_6$ in the neutron scattering spectra. The broadened inelastic signals observed suggest hyperfine field distribution in the two disordered magnetic glassy systems and no signal for the third compound suggests no or very small hyperfine field at the Co nucleus due to Co electronic moment. For the two magnetic glassy system apart from the hyperfine signal due only to Co, we also observed electronic spin fluctuations probably from both Fe and Co electronic moments. \end{abstract}

We present observations of highly frustrated quasi two-dimensional (2D) magnetic correlations in the honeycomb lattice layers of the S$_{eff}$ = 1/2 compound $\gamma$-BaCo$_2$(PO$_4$)$_2$ ($\gamma$-BCPO). Specific heat shows a broad peak comprised of two weak kink features at $T_{N1} \sim$ 6 K and $T_{N2} \sim$ 3.5 K, the relative weights of which can be modified by sample annealing. Neutron powder diffraction measurements reveal short range quasi-2D order that is established below $T_{N1}$ and $T_{N2}$, at which two separate, incompatible, short range magnetic orders onset: commensurate antiferromagnetic correlations with correlation length $\xi_c = 60\pm2$ \AA \ ($T_{N1}$) and in quasi-2D helical domains with $\xi_h = 350 \pm 11$ \AA \ ($T_{N2}$). The ac magnetic susceptibility response lacks frequency dependence, ruling out spin freezing. Inelastic neutron scattering data on $\gamma$-BCPO is compared with linear spin wave theory, and two separate parameter regions of the XXZ $J_1$-$J_2$-$J_3$ model with ferromagnetic nearest-neighbor exchange $J_1$ are favored, both near regions of high classical degeneracy. High energy coherent excitations ($\sim 10$ meV) persist up to at least 40 K, suggesting strong in-plane correlations persist above $T_N$. These data show that $\gamma$-BCPO is a rare highly frustrated, quasi-2D S$_{eff}$ = 1/2 honeycomb lattice material which resists long range magnetic order and spin freezing., Comment: 9 pages, 12 figures

We report a comprehensive specific heat and inelastic neutron scattering study to explore the possible origin of multiferroicity in HoCrO$_3$. We have performed specific heat measurements in the temperature range 100 mK - 290 K and inelastic neutron scattering measurements were performed in the temperature range 1.5 - 200 K. From the specific heat data we determined hyperfine splitting at 22.5(2) $\mu$eV and crystal field transitions at 1.379(5) meV, 10.37(4) meV, 15.49(9) meV and 23.44(9) meV, indicating the existence of strong hyperfine and crystal field interactions in HoCrO$_3$. Further, an effective hyperfine field is determined to be 600(3) T. The quasielastic scattering observed in the inelastic scattering data and a large linear term $\gamma=6.3(8)$ mJmol$^{-1}$K$^{-2}$ in the specific heat is attributed to the presence of short range exchange interactions, which is understood to be contributing to the observed ferroelectricity. Further the nuclear and magnetic entropies were computed to be, $\sim$$17.2$ Jmol$^{-1}$K$^{-1}$ and $\sim$34 Jmol$^{-1}$K$^{-1}$, respectively. The entropy values are in excellent agreement with the limiting theoretical values. An anomaly is observed in peak position of the temperature dependent crystal field spectra around 60 K, at the same temperature an anomaly in the pyroelectric current is reported. From this we could elucidate a direct correlation between the crystal electric field excitations of Ho$^{3+}$ and ferroelectricity in HoCrO$_3$. Our present study along with recent reports confirm that HoCrO$_3$, and $R$CrO$_3$ ($R=$ Rare earth) in general, possess more than one driving force for the ferroelectricity and multiferroicity., Comment: 17 pages, 6 figures, published in J. Phys.: Condens. Matter