thin films via solid state epitaxy

Pyrochlore iridates (RE₂Ir₂O₇, RE=Rare Earth) exhibit various novel electronic and magnetic properties resulting from the interplay of electronic correlation, spin-orbit coupling and geometrically frustrated spin configurations. Bulk Pr₂Ir₂O₇ single crystals show metallic spin liquid behavior¹, quantum criticality² and a large anomalous Hall Effect without long range magnetic ordering³. Here we present the synthesis and characterization results of high-quality epitaxial Pr₂Ir₂O₇ thin films stabilized via the solid state epitaxy method. Hall measurements reveal a low field magnetic phase transition at 30K, which is much higher than the bulk transition temperature of 1.5K⁴. Further magnetic effects have been observed in the Hall conductivity under higher magnetic field. We reveal the possible mechanism behind these novel magnetic behaviors by comparing the anomalous Hall behaviors with the magnetization measurements.
1. Nakatsuji, S., et al. Physical review letters 96.8 (2006): 087204.
2. Tokiwa, Y., et al. Nature materials 13.4 (2014): 356-359.
3. Machida, Yo, et al. Nature463.7278 (2010): 210-213.
4. Flint, Rebecca, and Senthil, T., PRB 87, 125147 (2013).