Magnetic polaron formation in EuZn$_2$P$_2$

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Cook, Matthew S., Peterson, Elizabeth A., Kengle, Caitlin S., Kennedy, E. R., Sheeran, J., Girod, Clément, Freitas, G. S., Greer, Samuel M., Abbamonte, Peter, Pagliuso, P. G., Thompson, J. D., Thomas, Sean M., Rosa, P. F. S.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Cook, Matthew S.
Peterson, Elizabeth A.
Kengle, Caitlin S.
Kennedy, E. R.
Sheeran, J.
Girod, Clément
Freitas, G. S.
Greer, Samuel M.
Abbamonte, Peter
Pagliuso, P. G.
Thompson, J. D.
Thomas, Sean M.
Rosa, P. F. S.
author_facet Cook, Matthew S.
Peterson, Elizabeth A.
Kengle, Caitlin S.
Kennedy, E. R.
Sheeran, J.
Girod, Clément
Freitas, G. S.
Greer, Samuel M.
Abbamonte, Peter
Pagliuso, P. G.
Thompson, J. D.
Thomas, Sean M.
Rosa, P. F. S.
contents Colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) has been observed across many Eu$^{2+}$-based materials; however, its origin is not completely understood. Here we investigate the antiferromagnetic insulator EuZn$_2$P$_2$ through single crystal x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, electrical transport, magnetization, dilatometry, and electron spin resonance measurements complemented by density functional theory calculations. Our electrical resistivity data reveal a large negative magnetoresistance, $MR = [R(H)-R(0)]/R(0)$, that reaches $MR = -99.7\%$ at 9~T near the antiferromagnetic ordering temperature $T_N=23\ \text{K}$. Dilatometry measurements show an accompanying field-induced lattice strain. Additionally, Eu$^{2+}$ electron spin resonance reveals a strong ferromagnetic exchange interaction between Eu$^{2+}$ and conduction electrons. Our experimental results in EuZn$_2$P$_2$ are consistent with a magnetic polaron scenario and suggest magnetic polaron formation as a prevailing explanation of CMR in Eu$^{2+}$-based compounds.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2504_05494
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Magnetic polaron formation in EuZn$_2$P$_2$
Cook, Matthew S.
Peterson, Elizabeth A.
Kengle, Caitlin S.
Kennedy, E. R.
Sheeran, J.
Girod, Clément
Freitas, G. S.
Greer, Samuel M.
Abbamonte, Peter
Pagliuso, P. G.
Thompson, J. D.
Thomas, Sean M.
Rosa, P. F. S.
Strongly Correlated Electrons
Colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) has been observed across many Eu$^{2+}$-based materials; however, its origin is not completely understood. Here we investigate the antiferromagnetic insulator EuZn$_2$P$_2$ through single crystal x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, electrical transport, magnetization, dilatometry, and electron spin resonance measurements complemented by density functional theory calculations. Our electrical resistivity data reveal a large negative magnetoresistance, $MR = [R(H)-R(0)]/R(0)$, that reaches $MR = -99.7\%$ at 9~T near the antiferromagnetic ordering temperature $T_N=23\ \text{K}$. Dilatometry measurements show an accompanying field-induced lattice strain. Additionally, Eu$^{2+}$ electron spin resonance reveals a strong ferromagnetic exchange interaction between Eu$^{2+}$ and conduction electrons. Our experimental results in EuZn$_2$P$_2$ are consistent with a magnetic polaron scenario and suggest magnetic polaron formation as a prevailing explanation of CMR in Eu$^{2+}$-based compounds.
title Magnetic polaron formation in EuZn$_2$P$_2$
topic Strongly Correlated Electrons
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.05494