Large Magnetoresistance and Jahn Teller effect in Sr$_2$FeCoO$_6$

Neutron diffraction measurement on the spin glass double perovskite Sr$_2$FeCoO$_6$ reveals site disorder as well as Co$^{3+}$ intermediate spin state. In addition, multiple valence states of Fe and Co are confirmed through Mössbauer and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The structural disorder and multiple valence lead to competing ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions and subsequently to a spin glass state, which is reflected in the form of an additional $T$-linear contribution at low temperatures in specific heat. A clear evidence of Jahn-Teller distortion at the Co$^{3+}$-O$_6$ complex is observed and incorporating the physics of Jahn-Teller effect, the presence of localized magnetic moment is shown. A large, negative and anomalous magnetoresistance of $\approx$ 63% at 14K in 12T applied field is observed for Sr$_2$FeCoO$_6$. The observed magnetoresistance could be explained by applying a semi-empirical fit consisting of a negative and a positive contribution and show that the negative magnetoresistance is due to spin scattering of carriers by localized magnetic moments in the spin glass phase.

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