Magnetic order and spin dynamics across the ferromagnetic quantum critical point in Ni 1 − x Mo x
- 23 September 2026
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Physical Society (APS) in Physical Review B
- Vol. 114 (13) , 134428
Abstract
Realizing a quantum critical point (QCP) in clean ferromagnetic (FM) metals has remained elusive due to the coupling of magnetization to the electronic soft modes that drive the transition to be of first order. However, by introducing a suitable amount of quenched disorder, one can still establish a QCP in ferromagnets. In this study, we ascertain that the itinerant ferromagnet ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Mo}}_{x}$ exhibits a FM QCP at a critical doping of ${x}_{c}\ensuremath{\simeq}0.125$. Through magnetization and muon-spin relaxation measurements, we demonstrate that the FM ordering temperature is suppressed continuously to zero at ${x}_{c}$, while the magnetic volume fraction remains $100%$ up to ${x}_{c}$, indicating a second-order phase transition. The QCP is accompanied by a non-Fermi liquid behavior, as evidenced by the logarithmic divergence of the heat capacity and the linear temperature dependence of the low-temperature resistivity. Our findings reveal a minimal effect of disorder on the critical spin dynamics of ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Mo}}_{x}$ at ${x}_{c}$, highlighting it as one of the rare systems to exhibit a clean FM QCP.
Keywords
Funding Information
- Anusandhan National Research Foundation (CRG/2022/000997)
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