Evidence for a low-temperature magnetic ground state in double-perovskite iridates with i r5+(5d4) ions

We report an unusual magnetic ground state in single-crystal, double-perovskite Ba2YIrO6 and Sr-doped Ba2YIrO6 with Ir5+(5d4) ions. Long-range magnetic order below 1.7 K is confirmed by dc magnetization, ac magnetic susceptibility, and heat-capacity measurements. The observed magnetic order is extraordinarily delicate and cannot be explained in terms of either a low-spin S=1 state, or a singlet Jeff=0 state imposed by the spin-orbit interactions (SOI). Alternatively, the magnetic ground state appears consistent with a SOI that competes with comparable Hund's rule coupling and inherently large electron hopping, which cannot stabilize the singlet Jeff=0 ground state. However, this picture is controversial, and conflicting magnetic behavior for these materials is reported in both experimental and theoretical studies, which highlights the intricate interplay of interactions that determine the ground state of materials with strong SOI.