The classical Generalized Constant Coupling method for Geometrically Frustrated Magnets revisited: Microscopic formulation and effect of perturbations beyond nearest neighbor interactions

Abstract

A microscopic derivation of the classical Generalized Constant Coupling (GCC) model for geometrically frustrated magnets is presented. Starting from the classical Heisenberg Hamiltonian, the partition function for clusters with p = 2, 3, 4 ,...spins in the presence of the inhomogeneous symmetry breaking fields (SBF) created by spins outside the unit is calculated. The effective fields characterizing the interaction between units naturally arise as averages over the SBF. These effective fields are fixed by a self-consistency condition. In the paramagnetic regime, we recover all the results previously obtained in a more phenomenological way, which were shown to be in excellent agreement with Monte Carlo calculations for these lattices. In the absence of applied magnetic field, it is found that, for antiferromagnetic interactions, the equilibrium configuration is a non-collinear configuration in which the total magnetization of the unit is zero, and the condition under which such an ordered state occurs is also obtained from the calculation. However, frustration inhibits the formation of such an state, and the system remains paramagnetic down to 0 K, if only nearest neighbor interactions are taken into account, for all the systems considered. Furthermore, we also study the effect of next nearest neighbor interactions (NNN) and site dilution by non-magnetic impurities for the pyrochlore lattice. It is found that NNN interactions can stabilize a non-collinear ordered state, or ferromagnetic one, depending on the relation between NN and NNN interactions, and the phase diagram is calculated. However, site dilution is not enough by itself to form such an ordered state.