We find that the long-range magnetic ordering is absent and electrical conduction suppressed in Y$_{ 1.7}$Bi$_{ 0.3}$Ir$_2$O$_7$/YSZ(100) thin film prepared by pulsed laser deposition. The sharp down-turn of inverse magnetic susceptibility X-1(T) from the conventional Curie-Weiss behaviour below T* ~ 168K suggests an inhomogeneous ferromagnetic Griffiths like phase. The transport and magnetic properties are explained on the basis of the coexistence of mixed oxidation states of Ir, (i.e. Ir4+ and Ir3+) leading to non-magnetic defects and reduction in t2g density of states at the Fermi level.
Categories: cond-mat.mtrl-sci cond-mat.str-el