Investigation of the dynamical magnetism of the new pyrochlore compounds Yb2-xNdxTi2O7 via the μSR techniques

This proposal aims to investigate the spin dynamics in the ground state of the pyrochlore series Yb2-xNdxTi2O7, where the magnetic lattice is randomly occupied by Yb3+ and Nd3+. Previous research on Yb2Ti2O7 and Nd2M2O7 (where M=Zr,Hf,Sn) compounds has revealed intriguing magnetic behaviors, such as quantum spin-ice behaviour, and magnetic ordering with persistent spin dynamics. Both rare-earth cations Yb and Nd, as Kramers doublets and with low-spin dimensionality, when mixed are of great interest because their distinct single-ion properties may lead to a persistent spin dynamics deep in their ground state. Our ac magnetic susceptibility characterization reveals a transition into a long-range ordering with large susceptibility values at the lowest temperature measured suggesting the system remains dynamic. This makes the Yb2-xNdxTi2O7 series ideal for studying spin dynamics as well the static order indicated by the oscillation of the muon polarization. Our objective is to study the observed long-range magnetic ordering in Yb2-xNdxTi2O7 via μSR techniques and look for evidence of persistent dynamical fluctuations that could favor the observation of emergent excitations.