Spin glass behavior and magnetic boson peak in a structural glass of a magnetic ionic liquid

Glassy magnetic behavior has been observed in a wide range of crystalline magnetic materials called spin glass. Here, we report spin glass behavior in a structural glass of a magnetic ionic liquid, C4mimFeCl(4). Magnetization measurements demonstrate that an antiferromagnetic ordering occurs at T-N=2.3 K in the crystalline state, while a spin glass transition occurs at T-SG=0.4 K in the structural glass state. In addition, localized magnetic excitations were found in the spin glass state by inelastic neutron scattering, in contrast to spin-wave excitations in the ordered phase of the crystalline sample. The localized excitation was scaled by the Bose population factor below T-SG and gradually disappeared above T-SG. This feature is highly reminiscent of boson peaks commonly observed in structural glasses. We suggest the magnetic boson peak to be one of the inherent dynamics of a spin glass state.

Automated summary

In this study, spin glass behavior was observed in a structural glass of a magnetic ionic liquid. The magnetization measurements showed antiferromagnetic ordering in the crystalline state and a spin glass transition in the structural glass state. Localized magnetic excitations were found in the spin glass state, resembling boson peaks commonly seen in structural glasses.