Saturday 29 November 2025
The quest for materials that can be used in spintronics, a field of electronics that relies on the spin of electrons rather than their charge, has led scientists to explore a class of compounds known as double perovskites. These materials have shown great promise due to their unique magnetic properties, but understanding how they work at the atomic level is crucial for unlocking their full potential.
Researchers have been studying a specific series of double perovskites, La2Mn2-xNixO6, which exhibit a range of magnetic behaviors as the concentration of nickel (x) increases. By analyzing the crystal structure and magnetic properties of these compounds, scientists hope to gain insight into how the atoms are arranged and how they interact with each other.
The study found that as x increases, the compound’s magnetic behavior changes from a long-range ferromagnetic order to a cluster ferromagnetic/spin-glass behavior. This transition is linked to changes in the crystal structure, which becomes more disordered as nickel replaces manganese. The researchers used neutron diffraction and magnetization measurements to analyze the samples.
One of the key findings was that the compound’s magnetic ordering temperature increases with increasing x, but this is accompanied by a reduction in both magnetization and ordered magnetic moment. Beyond a certain point, long-range magnetic ordering is no longer observed. This suggests that the nickel ions are disrupting the otherwise ferromagnetic behavior of the manganese ions.
The researchers also found that all compositions exhibit a reentrant spin-glass-like phase at low temperatures, which is likely due to the presence of defects in the crystal structure. The temperature-dependent magnetic correlations were found to be closely connected to variations in crystal structural parameters, such as lattice constants and unit cell volume.
In addition to its magnetic properties, the study also explored the electrical conductivity of the compounds using resistivity measurements. The results showed that the resistivity increases with increasing x, suggesting that the nickel ions are introducing defects into the crystal structure that disrupt the flow of electrons. The researchers found that the data can be explained by a variable range hopping model, which suggests that the electrons are moving through the material via localized states.
The study provides valuable insights into the behavior of double perovskites and their potential applications in spintronics. By understanding how these materials work at the atomic level, scientists can design new compounds with specific properties, leading to more efficient and sustainable electronic devices.
Cite this article: “Magnetic Properties and Electronic Conductivity of Double Perovskites La2Mn2-xNixO6”, The Science Archive, 2025.
Spintronics, Double Perovskites, Magnetic Properties, Crystal Structure, Neutron Diffraction, Magnetization, Nickel, Manganese, Spin-Glass Behavior, Reentrant Spin-Glass-Like Phase.
