Evidence of Griffiths-like clustered phase and nonuniversal critical behavior in the double perovskite
Phys. Rev. B 112, 214432 – Published 15 December, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/x9wx-vcwv
Abstract
The Griffiths phase (GP), a state of magnetic disorder persisting above the Curie temperature , is frequently observed in rare-earth and transition-metal oxides, often leading to anomalous quantum critical fluctuations near . In this study, we investigate the ordered double perovskite (ENMO), uncovering similar critical instabilities through detailed magnetic, magnetocaloric, and heat capacity measurements and analysis. The derived critical exponents near the critical region, deviate significantly from all known universality classes of magnetism, yet they satisfy the magnetic scaling equation of state. Complementary magnetocaloric effect (MCE) analysis confirms these critical exponents while revealing a substantial low-temperature magnetic entropy change and adiabatic temperature values ( 15 J/kg K and 15 K for kOe), further supported by heat capacity data. The anomalous critical behavior is attributed to quantum GP formation above , consistent with predictions from both the Bray model and Yang-Lee zeros theory. Additionally, ENMO maintains a robust insulating character across the measured temperature range, well-described by polaron hopping mechanisms. These findings challenge conventional models of magnetic phase transitions in disordered systems, emphasizing the necessity for new theoretical frameworks to account for clustered-phase dynamics and the development of revised universality classes to explain such unconventional critical phenomena.