Theory of successive transitions in vanadium spinels and order of orbitals and spins
Abstract
We have theoretically studied successive transitions in vanadium spinel oxides with (t2g)2 electron configuration. These compounds show a structural transition at ~ 50K and an antiferromagnetic transition at ~ 40K. Since threefold t2g orbitals of vanadium cations are occupied partially and vanadiums constitute a geometrically-frustrated pyrochlore lattice, the system provides a particular example to investigate the interplay among spin, orbital and lattice degrees of freedom on frustrated lattice. We examine the models with the Jahn-Teller coupling and/or the spin-orbital superexchange interaction, and conclude that keen competition between these two contributions explains the thermodynamics of vanadium spinels. Effects of quantum fluctuations as well as relativistic spin-orbit coupling are also discussed.
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