Physics

Dr. Jhuma Sannigrahi
IACS, Kolkata

Abstract: Transition metal compounds present a unique class of solids with complex and diverse thermodynamic properties. 3d transition metal oxides exist with a great variety of crystal structures, which are reflected in the richness of their physical properties. The orbital states of 3d electrons are to a large extent responsible for the complex relationship between the electronic properties and crystal structure. This complexity and diversity are the indication of strong interplay between electronic, lattice, orbital and spin degrees of freedom. The magnetic ground states of these oxides depend strongly on the environment surrounding the transition metal and also on the exchange interaction pathways between two magnetic ions, which is often mediated through the 2p levels of oxygen. I will discuss some of the experimental investigations focusing the magnetic and electric properties of some exotic transition metal oxides with fascinating crystal structures.