Phase diagram with an enhanced spin-glass region of the mixed Ising-XY magnet LiHo_xEr_1-xF₄

We present the experimental phase diagram of LiHoxEr1-xF4, a dilution series of dipolar-coupled model magnets. The phase diagram was determined using a combination of ac susceptibility and neutron scattering. Three unique phases in addition to the Ising ferromagnet LiHoF4 and the XY antiferromagnet LiErF4 have been identified.

Below x=0.86, an embedded spin-glass phase is observed, where a spin glass exists within the ferromagnetic structure. Below x=0.57, an Ising spin glass is observed consisting of frozen needlelike clusters. For x∼0.3–0.1, an antiferromagnetically coupled spin glass occurs. A reduction of TC(x) for the ferromagnet is observed which disobeys the mean-field predictions that worked for LiHoxY1-xF4.