Magnetic behavior of the spin-chain compound, Ca₃CuRuO₆

Abstract

A spin-chain compound, Ca₃CuRuO₆, forming in a K₄CdCl₆-derived monoclinic structure, has been synthesized via solid state route and subjected to magnetization (M) and heat capacity (C) measurements. This compound is found to undergo magnetic ordering (T_o) around 40 K. However, the magnitude of the paramagnetic Curie temperature (θ_p) is large (-277 K). Very small ratio of T_o/θ_p suggests the existence of magnetic frustration presumably arising from the triangular arrangement of antiferromagnetically coupled ferromagnetic chains. This frustration however does not lead to spin-glass freezing at low temperatures, as there is no prominent feature in the ACχ around 40 K. Considering that the peak in C(T) around 40 K is very weak, we conclude that this material exhibits inhomogeneous magnetism despite being stoichiometric, possibly as a manifestation of some degree of Ca-Cu site-disorder.