Structure, magnetism and electronic properties in 3$d$-5$d$ based double perovskite (Sr$_{1-x}$Y$_x$)$_2$FeIrO$_6$

The 3$d$-5$d$ based double perovskites are of current interest as they provide model system to study the interplay between electronic correlation ($U$) and spin-orbit coupling (SOC). Here we report detailed structural, magnetic and transport properties of doped double perovskite material (Sr$_{1-x}$Y$_x$)$_2$FeIrO$_6$ with $x$ $\leq$ 0.2. With substitution of Y, system retains its original crystal structure but structural parameters modify with $x$ in nonmonotonic fashion. The magnetization data for Sr$_2$FeIrO$_6$ show antiferromagnetic type magnetic transition around 45 K, however, a close inspection in data indicates a weak magnetic phase transition around 120 K. No change of structural symmetry has been observed down to low temperature, although the lattice parameters show sudden changes around the magnetic transitions. Sr$_2$FeIrO$_6$ shows an insulating behavior over the whole temperature range which yet does not change with Y substitution. Nature of charge conduction is found to follow thermally activated Mott's variable range hopping and power law behavior for parent and doped samples, respectively. Interestingly, evolution of structural, magnetic and transport behavior in (Sr$_{1-x}$Y$_x$)$_2$FeIrO$_6$ is observed to reverse with $x$ $>$ 0.1 which is believed to arise due to change in transition metal ionic state.

K C Kharkwal, A K Pramanik · 2017