Weak magnetic transitions in pyrochlore Bi2Ir2O7

Abstract: Muon spin relaxation measurements on Bi2Ir2O7 show that it undergoes a bulk magnetic transition at 1.84(3) K. This is accompanied by increases in the muon spin relaxation rate and the amplitude of the non-relaxing part of the signal. The magnetic field experienced by muons is estimated to be 0.7 mT at low-temperature, around two orders of magnitude smaller than that in other pyrochlore iridates. These results suggest that the low-temperature state represents ordering of exceptionally small magnetic moments with persistent weak dynamics. The relaxation rate increases further below 0.23(4) K, coincident with a growth in the specific heat, suggesting the existence of a second low-temperature magnetic transition.