Jose Francisco Salgado

Major: Mechanical Engineering
Mentors: Reina Gomez, Professor Stephen Wilson

Synthesis and Characterization of Spin Ice Pyrochlore Pr2Zr2O7

Pyrochlores of the type A23+B24+O7 have a structure composed of tetrahedra with antiferromagnetic interactions that give rise to geometric frustration within the bulk material, possessing interesting physics to be studied. Powder samples and single crystals of the pyrochlore Pr2Zr2O7 with the correct stoichiometry and 3% excess Praseodymium were made through deviations from standard solid-state synthesis, with the latter utilizing the high-pressure laser furnace. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns coupled with Rietveld refinements demonstrated similarities to previous work, reassuring that the desired phase was obtained. Magnetization measurements for the powder samples were taken with the preliminary results exhibiting characteristics consistent with antiferromagnetic properties. A thorough analysis of the single crystal magnetic properties was unable to be completed by the program deadline.