Update on the Magnetic and Structural Properties of the Solid Solutions CuAl_2(1-x)Ga_2xO₄

Magnetic frustration continues to be an area of interest due to its association with the emergence of novel magnetic ground states such as spin glasses. Two systems that have been identified as spin glasses are the spin ½ antiferromagnetic spinels CuAl₂O₄ and CuGa₂O₄. In this research we examine the solid solution between these two end members, CuAl_2(1-x)Ga_2xO₄. The solution displays magnetic glassy properties such as bifurcation in the FC - ZFC DC susceptibility, a frequency dependence of the freezing temperature, memory effects, and slow relaxation. Whether the system is better classified as a cluster glass or insulator spin glass will be discussed. Further, we observe an increase in the magnetic frustration as Ga³⁺ is replaced with Al³⁺. We have examined the atomic occupancy of the even members of the solid solution via neutron and synchrotron diffraction. As Ga⁺³ is replaced with Al⁺³ we find an increase in frustration as the magnetic Cu⁺² ion shifts from the octahedral to the tetrahedral sublattice.