In this study, we investigate the influence of Cr-Cr distances on the magnetic properties of triangular lattice antiferromagnets through the lens of the recently synthesized Cr compounds LiCrSe2, 2 , LiCrTe2, 2 , and NaCrTe2. 2 . Our comprehensive analysis integrates existing magnetic structure data and new insights from muon spin rotation measurements, revealing a striking mutual influence between strongly correlated electrons and structural degrees of freedom in systems possessing very different magnetic properties despite having the same crystal symmetry. In particular, we delineate how Cr-Cr distances specifically dictate the magnetic behaviors of the triangular lattice antiferromagnets LiCrSe2, 2 , LiCrTe2, 2 , and NaCrTe2. 2 . By crafting phase diagrams based on these distances, we establish a clear correlation between the structural parameters and the magnetic ground states of these materials together with a wide variety of trivalent Cr triangular lattice layered magnets. Our analysis uncovers a transition range for in-plane and out-of-plane Cr-Cr distances that demarcates distinct magnetic behaviors, highlighting the nuanced role of lattice geometry in the spin-lattice interaction and electron correlation dynamics.

LiCrSe2 constitutes a recent valuable addition to the ensemble of two-dimensional triangular lattice antiferromagnets. In this work, we present a comprehensive study of the low temperature nuclear and magnetic structure established in this material. Being subject to a strong magnetoelastic coupling, LiCrSe2 was found to undergo a first order structural transition from a trigonal crystal system (P3 ¯ m1) to a monoclinic one (C2/m) at T s = 30 K. Such restructuring of the lattice is accompanied by a magnetic transition at T N = 30 K. Refinement of the magnetic structure with neutron diffraction data and complementary muon spin rotation analysis reveal the presence of a complex incommensurate magnetic structure with a up-up-down-down arrangement of the chromium moments with ferromagnetic double chains coupled antiferromagnetically. The spin axial vector is also modulated both in direction and modulus, resulting in a spin density wave-like order with periodic suppression of the chromium moment along the chains. This behavior is believed to appear as a result of strong competition between direct exchange antiferromagnetic and superexchange ferromagnetic couplings established between both nearest neighbor and next nearest neighbor Cr3+ ions. We finally conjecture that the resulting magnetic order is stabilized via subtle vacancy/charge order within the lithium layers, potentially causing a mix of two co-existing magnetic phases within the sample.

A Muon Spin Rotation (mu+SR) study was conducted to investigate the magnetic properties of SrCu2(BO3)(2) (SCBO) as a function of temperature/pressure. Measurements in zero field and transverse field confirm the absence of long range magnetic order at high pressures and low temperatures. These measurements suggest changes in the Cu spin fluctuations characteristics above 21 kbar, consistent with the formation of a plaquette phase as previously suggested by inelastic neutron scattering measurements. SCBO is the only known realisation of the Shatry-Sutherland model, thus the ground state mediating the dimer and antiferromagnetic phase is likekly to be a plaquette state.

Real-world topological semimetals typically exhibit Dirac and Weyl nodes that coexist with trivial Fermi pockets. This tends to mask the physics of the relativistic quasiparti-cles. Using the example of ZrTe5, we show that strain provides a powerful tool for in-situ tuning of the band structure such that all trivial pockets are pushed far away from the Fermi energy, but only for a certain range of Van der Waals gaps. Our results naturally reconcile contradicting reports on the presence or absence of additional pockets in ZrTe5, and provide a clear map of where to find a pure three-dimensional Dirac semimetallic phase in the structural parameter space of the material.

Rhenium oxides belonging to the family AReO4 where A is a metal cation, exhibit interesting electronic and magnetic properties. In this study we have utilized the muon spin rotation/relaxation (mu+SR) technique to study the magnetic properties of the MgReO4 compound. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation reported on this interesting material, that is stabilized in a wolframite crystal structure using a special highpressure synthesis technique. Bulk magnetic studies show the onset of an antiferromagnetic (AF) long range order, or a possible singlet spin state at T-C1 approximate to 90 K, with a subtle second hightemperature transition at T-C2 approximate to 280 K. Both transitions are also confirmed by heat capacity (Cp) measurements. From our mu+SR measurements, it is clear that the sample enters an AF order below T-C1 = T-N approximate to 85 K. We find no evidence of magnetic signal above TN, which indicates that T-C2 is likely linked to a structural transition. Further, via sensitive zero field (ZF) mu(+) SR measurements we find evidence of a spin reorientation at T-Cant approximate to 65 K. This points towards a transition from a collinear AF into a canted AF order at low temperature, which is proposed to be driven by competing magnetic interactions.

LiFePO4 (LFPO) is an archetypical and well-known cathode material for rechargeable Li-ion batteries. However, its quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) structure along with the Fe ions, LFPO also displays interesting low-temperature magnetic properties. Our team has previously utilized the muon spin rotation (mu+SR) technique to investigate both magnetic spin order as well as Li-ion diffusion in LFPO. In this initial study we extend our investigation and make use of high-pressure mu+SR to investigate effects on the low-T magnetic order. Contrary to theoretical predictions we find that the magnetic ordering temperature as well as the ordered magnetic moment increase at high pressure (compressive strain).

The quasi-2D platinum-based rare earth intermetallic LaPt2Si2 has attracted attention as it exhibits strong interplay between charge density wave order and superconductivity. However, most of the results reported on this material come from theoretical calculations, preliminary bulk investigations and powder samples, which makes it difficult to uniquely determine the temperature evolution of its crystal structure and, consequently, of its charge density wave transition. Therefore, the published literature around LaPt2Si2 is often controversial. Here, by means of high-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction data, we clarify some of the poorly or partially understood aspects of the physics of LaPt2Si2. In particular, we resolve the complex evolution of its crystal structure and superstructures, identifying the temperature dependence of multiple density wave transitions in good quality LaPt2Si2 single crystals. According to our findings, on cooling from room temperature LaPt2Si2 undergoes a series of subtle structural transitions which can be summarised as follows: second order commensurate tetragonal (P4/n m m)-to-incommensurate structure followed by a first order incommensurate-to-commensurate orthorhombic (P m m n) transition and then a first order commensurate orthorhombic (P m m n)-to-commensurate tetragonal (P4/n m m). The structural transitions are accompanied by both incommensurate and commensurate superstructural distortions of the lattice. The observed behavior is compatible with discommensuration of the CDW in this material.

The internal nuclear magnetic field in a superconducting MgB2 powder sample was studied with a mu-SR technique. Although the past mu+SR study on MgB2 reported the appearance of a dynamic behavior even below T-c due to mu(+) diffusion, mu-SR shows a static behavior in the whole temperature range measured, as expected. The ZF-mu-SR spectra do not suggest any appearance of additional magnetic field below T-c within the experimental accuracy. Considering the small asymmetry of the mu-SR signal, it is a challenge to detect the appearance of an internal magnetic field below Tc caused by the time reversal symmetry breaking.

This paper reports the first experimental observation of phonons and their softening on single crystalline LaPt2Si2 via inelastic neutron scattering. From the temperature dependence of the phonon frequency in close proximity to the charge density wave (CDW) q-vector, we obtain a CDW transition temperature of TCDW = 230 K and a critical exponent β = 0.28 ± 0.03. This value is suggestive of a non-conventional critical behavior for the CDW phase transition in LaPt2Si2, compatible with a scenario of CDW discommensuration (DC). The DC would be caused by the existence of two CDWs in this material, propagating separately in the non equivalent (Si1–Pt2–Si1) and (Pt1–Si2–Pt1) layers, respectively, with transition temperatures TCDW−1 = 230 K and TCDW−2 = 110 K. A strong q-dependence of the electron-phonon coupling has been identified as the driving mechanism for the CDW transition at TCDW−1 = 230 K while a CDW with 3-dimensional character, and Fermi surface quasi-nesting as a driving mechanism, is suggested for the transition at TCDW−2 = 110 K. Our results clarify some aspects of the CDW transition in LaPt2Si2 which have been so far misinterpreted by both theoretical predictions and experimental observations and give direct insight into its actual temperature dependence.

In an all solid state Li-ion battery, it is crucial to reduce ionic resistivity at the interface between the electrode and the electrolyte in order to enhance Li+ mobility across the interface. Recent first principles calculations predict the presence of a space-charge layer (SCL) at the interface due to the difference in the Li+ chemical potential at the interface between two different materials, as in the metal-semiconductor junction in electronic devices. However, the presence of SCL has never been experimentally observed. Our first attempt in a fresh multilayer sample, Cu(10 nm)/Li3PO4(50 nm)/LiCoO2(100 nm) on a sapphire substrate, with low-energy mu+SR (LE mu+SR) revealed a gradual change in the nuclear magnetic field distribution width as a function of implantation depth even across the interface between Li3PO4 and LiCoO2. This implies that the change in the field distribution width at SCL of the sample is too small to be detected by LE mu+SR.