We formulate and study a spin-orbital model for a family of cubic double perovskites with d1 ions occupying a frustrated fcc sublattice. A variational approach and a complementary analytical analysis reveal a rich variety of phases emerging from the interplay of Hund’s rule and spin-orbit coupling. The phase digram includes noncollinear ordered states, with or without a net moment, and, remarkably, a large window of a nonmagnetic disordered spin-orbit dimer phase. The present theory uncovers the physical origin of the unusual amorphous valence bond state experimentally suggested for Ba2BMoO6 (B=Y, Lu) and predicts possible ordered patterns in Ba2BOsO6 (B=Na, Li) compounds.
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Spin-Orbit Dimers and Noncollinear Phases in d1 Cubic Double Perovskites
PhysRevLett.118.217202
(405.44KB)
