Signature of an antiferromagnetic metallic ground state in heavily electron doped Sr2FeMoO6

Abstract

Sr$_{2}$FeMoO$_6$ is a double perovskite compound, known for its high temperature behavior. Combining different magnetic and spectroscopic tools, we show that this compound can be driven to rare example of antiferromagnetic metallic state through heavy electron doping. Considering synthesis of Sr$_{2-x}$La$_x$FeMoO$_6$ (1.0 $\le{x}\le$ 1.5) compounds, we find compelling evidences of antiferromagnetic metallic ground state for $x\ge$1.4. The local structural study on these compounds reveal unusual atomic scale phase distribution in terms of La, Fe and Sr, Mo-rich regions driven by strong La-O covalency: a phenomenon hitherto undisclosed in double perovskites. The general trend of our findings are in agreement with theoretical calculations carried out on realistic structures with the above mentioned local chemical fluctuations, which reconfirms the relevance of the kinetic energy driven magnetic model.