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Spin and orbital quantum numbers play a key role in the physics of Mott insulators, but in most systems they are connected only indirectly--via the Pauli exclusion principle and the Coulomb interaction. Iridium-based oxides (iridates) introduce strong spin-orbit coupling directly, such that these numbers become entwined together and the Mott physics attains a strong orbital character. In the layered honeycomb iridates this is thought to generate highly spin-anisotropic magnetic interactions, coupling the spin to a given spatial direction of exchange and leading to strongly frustrated magnetism. Here we report a new iridate structure that has the same local connectivity as the layered honeycomb and exhibits striking evidence for highly spin-anisotropic exchange. The basic structural units of this material suggest that a new family of three-dimensional structures could exist, the 'harmonic honeycomb' iridates, of which the present compound is the first example.

Single crystals of Pr2Fe4-xCoxSb5 (1 < x < 2.5) were grown from a Bi flux and characterized by X-ray diffraction. The compounds adopt the La2Fe4Sb5 structure type (I4/mmm). The structure of Pr2Fe4-xCoxSb5 (1 < x < 2.5) contains a network of transition metals forming isosceles triangles. The x ∼ 1 analogue is metallic and exhibits a magnetic transition at T1 ≈ 25 K. The magnetic moment obtained from the Curie-Weiss fit is 11.49(4) μB, which is larger than the spin-only Pr3+ moment. The x ∼ 2 analogue orders magnetically at T1 ≈ 80 and T2 ≈ 45 K. This is the first case of the substitution of Co into the La2Fe4Sb5 structure type, evidenced by the increased concentration of dopant with decreased lattice parameters coupled with a change in the transition temperature with a change in the cobalt concentration. The added complexity in the magnetic behavior of the x ∼ 1 and 2 analogues indicates that the increased concentration of Co invokes an additional magnetic contribution of the transition metal in the sublattice. Furthermore, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements support the change in the oxidation states of transition metals with increasing cobalt concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single crystals of CeCo2-xMxAl8 (M = Mn, Fe, Ni; 0 ≤ x < 1) were grown and characterized by X-ray diffraction and magnetic susceptibility. The unit cell volumes of Mn-doped compounds increase and those of Ni-doped compounds decrease with increasing dopant concentration. All samples display a magnetic ordering near 6 K with magnetic moments of the analogues ranging from 2.61 to 2.81 μB/mol Ce and slightly higher than Ce3+ only magnetic moment. The unit cell volumes of Fe-doped compounds also increase with increasing Fe concentration. However, the cell volume of CeCo2-xFexAl8 decreases for x = 1.00 and is not Curie-Weiss possibly because of valence fluctuation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis and characterization of Mn- and Fe-substituted Ln 6W4Al43 (Ln=Gd, Yb) and Yb6Ti4Al43 are reported. The compounds adopt the Ho6Mo4Al43 structure type with lattice parameters of a~11Å and c~17.8Å with structural site preferences for Mn and Fe. The magnetization of Yb6W4Al43 is sensitive to Mn and Fe doping, which is evident by an increase in the field dependent magnetization. Gd6W4Al43, Gd6W4Al42.31(11)Mn0.69(11), and Gd6W4Al41.69(12)Fe1.30(12) order antiferromagnetically in the ab- and c-directions at 15, 14, and 13K, respectively, with positive Weiss constants, suggesting the presence of ferromagnetic exchange interactions. Anisotropic magnetization data of Gd6W4Al43−y T y (T=Mn, Fe) analogs are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

α-Cu2Ta4O11 is prepared in a molten CuCl-flux by the reaction of nanocrystalline Cu2O and Ta2O5 in the molar ratio of 2:1 (evacuated silica tubes, 665 °C, 1 h). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single crystals of Pr2Fe(4-x)Co(x)Sb5 (1 < x < 2.5) were grown from a Bi flux and characterized by X-ray diffraction. The compounds adopt the La2Fe4Sb5 structure type (I4/mmm). The structure of Pr2Fe(4-x)Co(x)Sb5 (1 < x < 2.5) contains a network of transition metals forming isosceles triangles. The x ∼ 1 analogue is metallic and exhibits a magnetic transition at T1 ≈ 25 K. The magnetic moment obtained from the Curie-Weiss fit is 11.49(4) μ(B), which is larger than the spin-only Pr(3+) moment. The x ∼ 2 analogue orders magnetically at T1 ≈ 80 and T2 ≈ 45 K. This is the first case of the substitution of Co into the La2Fe4Sb5 structure type, evidenced by the increased concentration of dopant with decreased lattice parameters coupled with a change in the transition temperature with a change in the cobalt concentration. The added complexity in the magnetic behavior of the x ∼ 1 and 2 analogues indicates that the increased concentration of Co invokes an additional magnetic contribution of the transition metal in the sublattice. Furthermore, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements support the change in the oxidation states of transition metals with increasing cobalt concentration.

Single crystals of CeCo(2-x)M(x)Al(8) (M = Mn, Fe, Ni; 0 ≤ x < 1) were grown and characterized by X-ray diffraction and magnetic susceptibility. The unit cell volumes of Mn-doped compounds increase and those of Ni-doped compounds decrease with increasing dopant concentration. All samples display a magnetic ordering near 6 K with magnetic moments of the analogues ranging from 2.61 to 2.81 μ(B)/mol Ce and slightly higher than Ce(3+) only magnetic moment. The unit cell volumes of Fe-doped compounds also increase with increasing Fe concentration. However, the cell volume of CeCo(2-x)Fe(x)Al(8) decreases for x = 1.00 and is not Curie-Weiss possibly because of valence fluctuation.