Tuning of Magnetic Properties of α-RuCl3 Single Crystal by Cr Doping*

Abstract

We study the influence of Cr doping on magnetic properties of α-RuCl 3 single crystals in detail. With increasing Cr content, the c-axial lattice parameter increases gradually, implying that the Cr doping may weaken the interlayer interactions. The magnetism of Ru 1 – x CrxCl 3 single crystals evolves from a long-range AFM order to a possible spin-glass state with Cr doping. The appearance of a possible spin-glass state can be explained by the introduction of FM interaction by Cr 3+ ions, which competes with the AFM interaction between Ru 3+ ions. Moreover, the larger magnetic moment of Cr 3+ ion with S = 3/2 than Ru 3+ ion with J eff = 1/2 also results in a monotonic increase of the effective moment of Ru 1 – x CrxCl 3 single crystal.