Antisites and electron-doping effects on the magnetic transition of Sr2FeMoO6 double perovskite -: art. no. 174416

The effect of antisite (AS) defects and electron doping on the ferromagnetic-paramagnetic (FM-PM) transition of Sr2FeMoO6 (SFMO) double perovskite has been studied. From a detailed analysis of the magnetization curves across the FM-PM transition we conclude that AS defects decrease the average strength of the magnetic interactions, although, remarkably enough, some of them are actually enhanced. It follows that the mean-field Curie temperature lowers whereas the onset of magnetization occurs at somewhat higher temperatures. The FM-PM transition has also been analyzed in electron-doped LaxSr2-xFeMoO6, where the AS defects concentration has been found to increase upon La doping. It turns out that in spite of the presence of AS, the mean-field Curie temperature significantly rises upon La and electron doping. This experimental finding contrasts with some recent predictions and emphasizes the role of itinerant electrons in the ferromagnetic coupling in these oxides. Moreover, our results indicate that disordered (i.e., with AS) double perovskite materials should be described as systems with random magnetic anisotropy.