Spin-glass transition in the spin–orbit-entangled Jeff = 0 Mott insulating double-perovskite ruthenate

We have successfully synthesized new Ru4+ double perovskite oxides SrLaInRuO6 and SrLaGaRuO6, which are expected to be a spin–orbit coupled Jeff = 0 Mott insulating ground state. Their magnetic susceptibility is much significant than that expected for a single Ru4+ ion for which exchange coupling with other ions is negligible. Their isothermal magnetization process suggests that there are about 20 percent isolated spins. These origins would be the Ru3+/Ru5+ magnetic defects, while the regular Ru4+ sites remain nonmagnetic. Moreover, SrLaGaRuO6 shows a spin-glass-like magnetic transition at low temperatures, probably caused by isolated spins. The observed spin-glass can be interpreted by the analogy of a dilute magnetic alloy, which can be seen as a precursor to the mobile Jeff = 1 exciton as a dispersive mode as predicted.