Several magnetic materials, in the first approximation, can be described by idealised theoretical models, such as classical Ising or Heisenberg spin systems, and, to some extent, such models are able to qualitatively expose many experimentally observed phenomena. But often, to account for complex behavior of magnetic matter, such models have to be refined by including more terms in Hamiltonian. The compound LiHo_xY_{1-x}F_4, by increasing concentration of nonmagnetic yttrium can be tuned from a diluted ferromagnet to a spin glass. LiHoF_4 is a good realisation of the transverse field Ising model, the simplest model exhibiting a quantum phase transition. In the pure case the magnetic behaviour of this material is well described by mean-field theory. It was believed that when diluted, LiHo_xY_{1-x}F_4 would also manifest itself as a diluted transverse field Ising model which continue to be well described by mean-field theory, and, at sufficient dilution, at zero temperature, exhibit a quantum spin-glass transition. The experimental data did not support such a scenario, and it was pointed out that, to explain physics of LiHo_xY_{1-x}F_4 in transverse magnetic field, the effect of a transverse-field-generated longitudinal random field has to be considered. We explore this idea further in local mean-field studies in which all three parameters: temperature, transverse field and concentration can be consistently surveyed, and where the transverse-field-generated longitudinal random field is explicitly present in the effective spin-1/2 Hamiltonian. We suggest other materials that are possible candidates for studying quantum criticality in the transverse field Ising model, and in the diluted case, for studying the effects of transverse and longitudinal random fields. The compounds we consider are RE(OH)_3, where RE are the rare earth ions Tb^{3+}, Dy^{3+} and Ho^{3+}. Using mean-field theory, we estimate the values of the transverse magnetic field that, at zero temperature, destroy ferromagnetic order to be B_x^c=4.35 T, B_x^c=5.03 T and B_x^c=54.81 T for Ho(OH)_3, Dy(OH)_3 and Tb(OH)_3, respectively. We confirm that Ho(OH)_3 and Tb(OH)_3, similarly to LiHoF_4, can be described by an effective spin-1/2 Hamiltonian. In the case of Dy(OH)_3 there is a possibility of a first order phase transition at transverse field close to B_x^c, and Dy(OH)_3 cannot be described by a spin-1/2 effective Hamiltonian. While diluted dipolar Ising spin glass has been studied experimentally in LiHo_xY_{1-x}F_4 and in numerical simulations, there are no studies of the Heisenberg case. Example materials that are likely candidates to be realisations of the diluted dipolar Heisenberg spin glass are (Gd_xY_{1-x})_2Ti_2O_7, (Gd_xY_{1-x})_2Sn_2O_7 and (Gd_xY_{1-x})_3Ga_5O_{12}. To stimulate interest in experimental studies of these systems we present results of Monte of Carlo simulations of the diluted dipolar Heisenberg spin glass. By performing finite-size scaling analysis of the spin-glass correlation length and the spin-glass susceptibility, we provide a compelling evidence of a thermodynamical spin-glass transition in the model. Frustrated pyrochlore magnets, depending on the character of single ion anisotropy and interplay of different types of interaction over a broad range of energy scales, exhibit a large spectrum of exotic phases and novel phenomena. The pyrochlore antiferromagnet Er_2Ti_2O_7 is characterised by a strong planar anisotropy. Experimental studies reveal that Er_2Ti_2O_7 undergoes a continuous phase transition to a long-range ordered phase with a spin configuration that, in this thesis, is referred to as the Champion-Holdsworth state. Such results are not in agreement with the theoretical prediction that the ground state of the pyrochlore easy-plane antiferromagnet with dipolar interactions complementing the nearest neighbour exchange interactions, is not the Champion-Holdsworth state but the so-called Palmer-Chalker state. On the other hand, Monte Carlo simulations of the easy-plane pyrochlore antiferromagnet indicate a thermal order-by-disorder selection of the Champion-Holdsworth state. To answer the question of whether order-by-disorder selection can be the mechanism at play in Er_2Ti_2O_7, we performed Monte Carlo simulations of the easy-plane pyrochlore antiferromagnet with weak dipolar interactions. We estimate the range strengths of the dipolar interaction such that order-by-disorder selection of the Champion-Holdsworth state is not suppressed. The estimated value of the allowed strength of the dipolar interactions indicates that the model studied is likely insufficient to explain the physics of Er_2Ti_2O_7 and other types of interactions or quantum effects should be considered.

The system LiHo_<em>x</em>Y_1-<em>x</em>F₄ is a nearly perfect example of a dilute, dipolar-coupled Ising magnet and, as such, it is an ideal testing ground for many theories in statistical mechanics. At low holmium concentration (<em>x</em> = 0. 045) an unusual spin liquid or "anti-glass" state was discovered in previous work [1]. This state does not exhibit a spin glass freezing transition as is expected for a long-range interaction. Instead, it shows dynamics which are consistent with a collection of low-frequency oscillators [2]. It was also seen to have sharp features in its specific heat [3]. <br /><br /> We present heat capacity measurements on three samples at and around the concentration of the spin liquid state in zero magnetic field and in a temperature range from around 50 mK to 1 K. In contrast to previous measurements, we find no sharp features in the specific heat. The specific heat is a broad feature which is qualitatively consistent with that of a spin glass. The residual entropy as a function of <em>x</em>, obtained through a numerical integral of the data, however, is consistent with numerical simulations which predict a disappearance of spin glass ordering below a critical concentration of dipoles [4]. <br /><br /> Also presented here, is ac susceptibility data on an <em>x</em> = 0. 45 sample which exhibits a paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition and is found to be consistent with previous work.

Several magnetic materials, in the first approximation, can be described by idealised theoretical models, such as classical Ising or Heisenberg spin systems, and, to some extent, such models are able to qualitatively expose many experimentally observed phenomena. But often, to account for complex behavior of magnetic matter, such models have to be refined by including more terms in Hamiltonian. The compound LiHo_xY_{1-x}F_4, by increasing concentration of nonmagnetic yttrium can be tuned from a diluted ferromagnet to a spin glass. LiHoF_4 is a good realisation of the transverse field Ising model, the simplest model exhibiting a quantum phase transition. In the pure case the magnetic behaviour of this material is well described by mean-field theory. It was believed that when diluted, LiHo_xY_{1-x}F_4 would also manifest itself as a diluted transverse field Ising model which continue to be well described by mean-field theory, and, at sufficient dilution, at zero temperature, exhibit a quantum spin-glass transition. The experimental data did not support such a scenario, and it was pointed out that, to explain physics of LiHo_xY_{1-x}F_4 in transverse magnetic field, the effect of a transverse-field-generated longitudinal random field has to be considered. We explore this idea further in local mean-field studies in which all three parameters: temperature, transverse field and concentration can be consistently surveyed, and where the transverse-field-generated longitudinal random field is explicitly present in the effective spin-1/2 Hamiltonian. We suggest other materials that are possible candidates for studying quantum criticality in the transverse field Ising model, and in the diluted case, for studying the effects of transverse and longitudinal random fields. The compounds we consider are RE(OH)_3, where RE are the rare earth ions Tb^{3+}, Dy^{3+} and Ho^{3+}. Using mean-field theory, we estimate the values of the transverse magnetic field that, at zero temperature, destroy ferromagnetic order to be B_x^c=4.35 T, B_x^c=5.03 T and B_x^c=54.81 T for Ho(OH)_3, Dy(OH)_3 and Tb(OH)_3, respectively. We confirm that Ho(OH)_3 and Tb(OH)_3, similarly to LiHoF_4, can be described by an effective spin-1/2 Hamiltonian. In the case of Dy(OH)_3 there is a possibility of a first order phase transition at transverse field close to B_x^c, and Dy(OH)_3 cannot be described by a spin-1/2 effective Hamiltonian. While diluted dipolar Ising spin glass has been studied experimentally in LiHo_xY_{1-x}F_4 and in numerical simulations, there are no studies of the Heisenberg case. Example materials that are likely candidates to be realisations of the diluted dipolar Heisenberg spin glass are (Gd_xY_{1-x})_2Ti_2O_7, (Gd_xY_{1-x})_2Sn_2O_7 and (Gd_xY_{1-x})_3Ga_5O_{12}. To stimulate interest in experimental studies of these systems we present results of Monte of Carlo simulations of the diluted dipolar Heisenberg spin glass. By performing finite-size scaling analysis of the spin-glass correlation length and the spin-glass susceptibility, we provide a compelling evidence of a thermodynamical spin-glass transition in the model. Frustrated pyrochlore magnets, depending on the character of single ion anisotropy and interplay of different types of interaction over a broad range of energy scales, exhibit a large spectrum of exotic phases and novel phenomena. The pyrochlore antiferromagnet Er_2Ti_2O_7 is characterised by a strong planar anisotropy. Experimental studies reveal that Er_2Ti_2O_7 undergoes a continuous phase transition to a long-range ordered phase with a spin configuration that, in this thesis, is referred to as the Champion-Holdsworth state. Such results are not in agreement with the theoretical prediction that the ground state of the pyrochlore easy-plane antiferromagnet with dipolar interactions complementing the nearest neighbour exchange interactions, is not the Champion-Holdsworth state but the so-called Palmer-Chalker state. On the other hand, Monte Carlo simulations of the easy-plane pyrochlore antiferromagnet indicate a thermal order-by-disorder selection of the Champion-Holdsworth state. To answer the question of whether order-by-disorder selection can be the mechanism at play in Er_2Ti_2O_7, we performed Monte Carlo simulations of the easy-plane pyrochlore antiferromagnet with weak dipolar interactions. We estimate the range strengths of the dipolar interaction such that order-by-disorder selection of the Champion-Holdsworth state is not suppressed. The estimated value of the allowed strength of the dipolar interactions indicates that the model studied is likely insufficient to explain the physics of Er_2Ti_2O_7 and other types of interactions or quantum effects should be considered.

This thesis will present research that studies the role of disorder, geometric frustration and the long range dipolar interaction on the collective behaviour of several insulating, rare earth magnets. Experiments were performed at low temperatures to measure the specific heat and magnetic susceptibility of several materials. Susceptibility was measured with a SQUID magnetometer that has been designed and constructed primarily for the study of slow dynamics in glassy systems. Specifically, this thesis will discuss three distinct topics. The first is the series of materials LiHo(x)Y(1-x)F(4), which are manifestations of the dilute, dipolar coupled Ising model. The low-x portion of the phase diagram has become a rather contentious issue in recent years with both theoretical and experimental groups disagreeing on the existence of a spin glass freezing transition and one experimental group arguing for the existence of an exotic "antiglass'' or spin liquid state resulting from quantum entanglement at x=0.045. We present specific heat and dynamical susceptibility measurements on four stoichiometries in this series: x = 0.018, 0.045, 0.080 and 0.012. No evidence of an unusual antiglass state is observed. Instead, our results show evidence, at all dilution levels studied, of a spin glass freezing transition. Interpretation of experimental data is found to be complicated by the anomalously slow dynamics in these materials. The relaxation time scales are found to increase as the concentration of Ho(3+) ions is reduced, an effect which can be attributed to single-ion physics and the importance of the nuclear hyperfine coupling in this system. A second set of materials studied here is a series of several Gd garnet materials, the most famous of which is Gd(3)Ga(5)O(12) (GGG), a material previously argued to be a disorder-free spin glass. Our specific heat experiments reproduce previous experiments on GGG and show that the homologous Gd garnets Gd(3)Te(2)Li(3)O(12) and Ga(3)Al(5)O(12) do not share the same glassy physics but exhibit sharp ordering features. By experimenting with the introduction of random site dilution, it is concluded that a 1-2% off-stoichiometry inherent in GGG is likely a special kind of disorder that is particularly effective in inducing random frustration and the formation of a spin glass. Finally, specific heat measurements on the pyrochlore antiferromagnet Gd(2)Sn(2)O(7) (GSO) are presented. While GSO has generally been found to be a well behaved and well understood model magnet, with long range order developing at around 1 K, like many other geometrically frustrated magnets, it has been discovered to possess persistent spin dynamics down to very low temperatures as measured by μSR and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Measurement of the low temperature limit of the specific heat when compared with linear spin-wave theory, however, presents a consistent picture of gapped magnon excitations that freeze out at low temperatures and make the existence of the proposed dynamic ground state unlikely.

Collective magnetic behavior in nanostructures is a phenomenon commonly observed in various magnetic systems. It arises due to competing inter/intra–particle interactions and size distribution and can manifest in phenomena like magnetic freezing, magnetic aging, and exchange bias (EB) effect. In order to probe these rather complex phenomena, conventional DC and AC magnetic measurements have been performed along with radio–frequency transverse susceptibility (TS) measurements. We also demonstrate the magnetic entropy change as a parameter sensitive to subtle changes in the magnetization dynamics of nanostructures. The focus of this dissertation is to study the collective magnetic behavior in core-shell nanostructures of Fe/γ–Fe2O3 and Co/CoO, La0.5Sr0.5MnO3 nanowires, and LaMnO3 nanoparticles. In the case of core/shell Fe/γ–Fe2O3, we found the particles to critically slow down below the glass transition temperature, below which they exhibit aging effects associated with a superspin glass (SSG) state. We demonstrate that it is possible to identify individual magnetic responses of the Fe core and the γ–Fe2O3 shell. Consistently, a systematic study of the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in the Fe/γ–Fe2O3 system reveals the development of inverse MCE with peaks associated with the individual magnetic freezing of the core and the shell. From these obtained results, we establish a general criterion for EB to develop in core/shell nanostructures, that is when the core is in the frozen state and the magnetic moments in the shell begin to block. This criterion is shown to be valid for both ferromagnetic/ferrimagnetic (FM/FIM) Fe/γ–Fe2O3 and ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic (FM/AFM) Co/CoO core–shell nanostructures. We also elucidate the physical origin of the occurrence of asymmetry in field-cooled hysteresis loops and its dependence on magnetic anisotropy in the Co/CoO system by performing a detailed TS study. We have performed a detailed magnetic study on hydrothermally synthesized single crystalline La0.5Sr0.5MnO3 nanowires. The temperature and field dependent evolution of the different magnetic phases leading to development of the inverse MCE and EB in the nanowires is discussed. Finally, we have studied the collective magnetic behavior of LaMnO3 nanoparticles synthesized by the sol–gel technique. The nanoparticle ensemble shows the unusual co–existence of super-ferromagnetism (SFM), as well as the SSG state, which we term the 'ferromagnetic superglass' (FSG) state. The existence of FSG and the characteristics of its magnetic ground state are discussed.

This thesis will present research that studies the role of disorder, geometric frustration and the long range dipolar interaction on the collective behaviour of several insulating, rare earth magnets. Experiments were performed at low temperatures to measure the specific heat and magnetic susceptibility of several materials. Susceptibility was measured with a SQUID magnetometer that has been designed and constructed primarily for the study of slow dynamics in glassy systems. Specifically, this thesis will discuss three distinct topics. The first is the series of materials LiHo(x)Y(1-x)F(4), which are manifestations of the dilute, dipolar coupled Ising model. The low-x portion of the phase diagram has become a rather contentious issue in recent years with both theoretical and experimental groups disagreeing on the existence of a spin glass freezing transition and one experimental group arguing for the existence of an exotic "antiglass'' or spin liquid state resulting from quantum entanglement at x=0.045. We present specific heat and dynamical susceptibility measurements on four stoichiometries in this series: x = 0.018, 0.045, 0.080 and 0.012. No evidence of an unusual antiglass state is observed. Instead, our results show evidence, at all dilution levels studied, of a spin glass freezing transition. Interpretation of experimental data is found to be complicated by the anomalously slow dynamics in these materials. The relaxation time scales are found to increase as the concentration of Ho(3+) ions is reduced, an effect which can be attributed to single-ion physics and the importance of the nuclear hyperfine coupling in this system. A second set of materials studied here is a series of several Gd garnet materials, the most famous of which is Gd(3)Ga(5)O(12) (GGG), a material previously argued to be a disorder-free spin glass. Our specific heat experiments reproduce previous experiments on GGG and show that the homologous Gd garnets Gd(3)Te(2)Li(3)O(12) and Ga(3)Al(5)O(12) do not share the same glassy physics but exhibit sharp ordering features. By experimenting with the introduction of random site dilution, it is concluded that a 1-2% off-stoichiometry inherent in GGG is likely a special kind of disorder that is particularly effective in inducing random frustration and the formation of a spin glass. Finally, specific heat measurements on the pyrochlore antiferromagnet Gd(2)Sn(2)O(7) (GSO) are presented. While GSO has generally been found to be a well behaved and well understood model magnet, with long range order developing at around 1 K, like many other geometrically frustrated magnets, it has been discovered to possess persistent spin dynamics down to very low temperatures as measured by μSR and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Measurement of the low temperature limit of the specific heat when compared with linear spin-wave theory, however, presents a consistent picture of gapped magnon excitations that freeze out at low temperatures and make the existence of the proposed dynamic ground state unlikely.

Neste trabalho utilizam-se duas adaptações do modelo originalmente proposto por van Hemmen com o intuito de investigar os efeitos de um campo aleatório hi sob as transições de fases: um modelo com spin 1 estudado na versão clássica e um modelo na formulação fermiônica. A escolha do modelo de van Hemmen está relacionada ao fato de que não e necessário utilizar o método das réplicas para tratar a desordem. No primeiro caso, o modelo clássico conta com um campo cristalino (D) que favorece energeticamente os estados não interagentes. As interações aleatórias Ji j são respons aveis por introduzir desordem e frustração ao problema. Tanto as variáveis aleatórias quanto o campo aleatório seguem uma distribuição de probabilidades bimodal. Analisando o comportamento dos parâmetros de ordem e da energia livre, diagramas de fases da temperatura pelo acoplamento ferromagnético J0 e pelo campo cristalino D para diferentes valores de hi foram construídos. Os resultados indicam que a presença do campo aleatório tende a reduzir o ponto tricrítico das transições de fases e, para determinado valor de hi, uma nova solução da fase vidro de spin (VS) pode ser favorecida. Além disso, para valores relativamente altos de hi, o problema apresenta pontos multicríticos nas transições de fase. Também busca-se investigar nesse modelo se o mesmo e capaz de apresentar algum tipo de transição inversa (TI) As TI são uma classe de transições de fases altamente contraintuitivas, em que uma fase usualmente ordenada tem entropia maior que uma fase desordenada. Elas se manifestam nos diagramas de fases através de uma reentrância da fase desordenada-ordenada-desordenada conforme a temperatura diminui. Embora o modelo apresente diversos pontos tricríticos na transição PM/VS, nenhum tipo de transição reentrante foi observada, não havendo, portanto, nenhuma evidência de transição inversa no sistema. Já o modelo analisado na formulação fermiônica conta com um potencial químico (m), que controla a diluição magnética relacionada ao favorecimento dos sítios duplamente ocupados ou vazios, e com um campo magnético transverso G, que introduz flutuações quânticas ao problema. Nesse caso, as interações de spin Ji j e o campo aleatório seguem uma distribuição gaussiana. A introdução do campo hi, a nível de campo médio, permite investigar as TI sob os efeitos de uma desordem que não e uma fonte de frustração Os resultados mostram uma transição reentrante da fase VS para a fase paramagnética (PM) na ausência de G e hi. A reentrância aparece para um certo intervalo de m, em que se encontra uma fase PM a baixas temperaturas com menor entropia do que a fase VS, caracterizando a transição do tipo congelamento inverso (CI). No entanto o CI e gradualmente suprimido quando os efeitos hi são intensificados. Além disso, o CI e completamente destruído pelas flutuações quânticas provenientes do G. Dessa forma, a desordem combinada com a diluição pode apresentar um cenário favorável a ocorrência de CI, enquanto o campo aleatório e as flutuações quânticas agem contra este tipo de transição. / In this work, two adaptations to the original model proposed by van Hemmen are used with the aim of investigating the e ects of a random eld hi under the phase transitions: a model studied in the classical version and a model in the fermionic formulation. The van Hemmen model was chosen because the disorder can be treated without the use of the replica method. In the rst case, the classic model has a crystal eld (D) which energetically favors the non-interacting states. The random interactions Ji j are responsible for introduce disorder and frustration to the problem. Both random eld and random variables follow a bimodal probability distribution. Analyzing the behavior of the order parameters and the free energy, phase diagrams of temperatura T versus the ferromagnetic coupling J0 and T versus the crystal eld D for di erent values of hi were build. The results indicate that the presence of the random eld tends to reduce the tricritical point of the phase transitions. For a given value of hi, a new solution of phase spin glass (SG) can be favored. In addition, for su ciently high enough values of hi the problem presents multicritical points in phase transitions. It is also intended to investigate if this model is able to present some kind of inverse transition (IT) IT is a class of highly nonintuitive phase transitions in that the usual ordered phase has more entropy than the disordered one. The IT manifests in the phase diagrams as a reentrance of the disordered-ordereddisordered phase according to the temperature decreases. Although the model presents several tricritical points in the transition PM=SG, no type of reentrant transition was observed. Therefore, there is no evidence of inverse transition in this model. The model analyzed in the fermionic formulation has a chemical potential (m), which has the role of controlling the magnetic dilution related to favoring double-occupation or empty sites. This model also counts with a transverse magnetic eld G, which introduces quantum uctuations to the problem. In this case, the spin interactions Ji j and random eld follow a Gaussian distribution The introduction of the hi allows the investigation of IT under the e ects of a disorder that is not a source of frustration. The results show a reentrant transition from the SG phase to the PM phase in the absence of G and hi. The reentrance appears for a certain range of m, in which there is a PM phase at low temperatures with lower entropy than the SG phase, characterizing the inverse freezing (IF) transition. However, IF is gradually suppressed when the e ects hi are intensi ed. Moreover, the IF is completely destroyed by quantum uctuations from G. Thus, the disorder combined with the dilution may present the favorable scenario to the occurrence of IF, while the random eld and the uctuations quantum mechanics act against this kind of transition.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The competition between cluster spin glass and ferromagnetism or antiferromagnetism is studied in this work. The model considers clusters of spins with short-range ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic interactions (J0) and long-range disordered couplings (J) between clusters. The problem is treated by adapting the correlated cluster mean- �eld theory. Phase diagrams T=J xJ0=J are obtained for different cluster sizes ns. The results show that the cluster spin-glass phase is found below the freezing temperature Tf for lower intensities of J0/J. The increase of short-range ferromagnetic interaction can favor the cluster spin-glass phase, while the antiferromagnetic one reduces the cluster spin-glass region by decreasing the Tf . However, there are always critical values of J0 where antiferromagnetic or ferromagnetic long-range orders become stable. The results also indicate a strong influence of the cluster size in the competition of magnetic phases. For antiferromagnetic clusters, the increase of ns diminishes Tf reducing the cluster spinglass phase region. In the ferromagnetic case, the increase of ns enhances the cluster spin-glass phase region. / A competição entre vidro de spin com clusters e ferromagnetismo ou antiferromagnetismo é estudada neste trabalho. Adotamos um modelo que considera clusters de spins com interações de curto alcance (J0) e interações desordenadas de longo alcance (J) entre clusters. O problema é tratado adaptando a teoria de campo médio com clusters correlacionados. Obtivemos diagramas de fases T/J×J0/J para vários tamanhos de clusters ns. Os resultados mostram que a fase vidro de spin com clusters é obtida abaixo de uma certa temperatura de congelamento para baixas intensidades de J0=J. O aumento das interações ferromagnéticas de curto alcance pode favorecer a fase vidro de spin com clusters, enquanto as interações antiferromagnéticas reduzem a região em que a fase vidro de spin com clusters é encontrada ao reduzir a temperatura de congelamento. No entanto, há valores críticos de J0 nos quais as ordens de longo alcance antiferromagnética ou ferromagnética tornam-se estáveis. Os resultados também indicam uma forte influência do tamanho dos clusters na competição entre fases magnéticas. Para clusters antiferromagnéticos, o aumento de ns diminui a temperatura de congelamento, reduzindo a região em que a fase vidro de spin com clusters é encontrada no diagrama T/J×J0/J. No caso ferromagnético, o aumento de ns aumenta a região da fase vidro de spin com clusters.

Neste trabalho utilizam-se duas adaptações do modelo originalmente proposto por van Hemmen com o intuito de investigar os efeitos de um campo aleatório hi sob as transições de fases: um modelo com spin 1 estudado na versão clássica e um modelo na formulação fermiônica. A escolha do modelo de van Hemmen está relacionada ao fato de que não e necessário utilizar o método das réplicas para tratar a desordem. No primeiro caso, o modelo clássico conta com um campo cristalino (D) que favorece energeticamente os estados não interagentes. As interações aleatórias Ji j são respons aveis por introduzir desordem e frustração ao problema. Tanto as variáveis aleatórias quanto o campo aleatório seguem uma distribuição de probabilidades bimodal. Analisando o comportamento dos parâmetros de ordem e da energia livre, diagramas de fases da temperatura pelo acoplamento ferromagnético J0 e pelo campo cristalino D para diferentes valores de hi foram construídos. Os resultados indicam que a presença do campo aleatório tende a reduzir o ponto tricrítico das transições de fases e, para determinado valor de hi, uma nova solução da fase vidro de spin (VS) pode ser favorecida. Além disso, para valores relativamente altos de hi, o problema apresenta pontos multicríticos nas transições de fase. Também busca-se investigar nesse modelo se o mesmo e capaz de apresentar algum tipo de transição inversa (TI) As TI são uma classe de transições de fases altamente contraintuitivas, em que uma fase usualmente ordenada tem entropia maior que uma fase desordenada. Elas se manifestam nos diagramas de fases através de uma reentrância da fase desordenada-ordenada-desordenada conforme a temperatura diminui. Embora o modelo apresente diversos pontos tricríticos na transição PM/VS, nenhum tipo de transição reentrante foi observada, não havendo, portanto, nenhuma evidência de transição inversa no sistema. Já o modelo analisado na formulação fermiônica conta com um potencial químico (m), que controla a diluição magnética relacionada ao favorecimento dos sítios duplamente ocupados ou vazios, e com um campo magnético transverso G, que introduz flutuações quânticas ao problema. Nesse caso, as interações de spin Ji j e o campo aleatório seguem uma distribuição gaussiana. A introdução do campo hi, a nível de campo médio, permite investigar as TI sob os efeitos de uma desordem que não e uma fonte de frustração Os resultados mostram uma transição reentrante da fase VS para a fase paramagnética (PM) na ausência de G e hi. A reentrância aparece para um certo intervalo de m, em que se encontra uma fase PM a baixas temperaturas com menor entropia do que a fase VS, caracterizando a transição do tipo congelamento inverso (CI). No entanto o CI e gradualmente suprimido quando os efeitos hi são intensificados. Além disso, o CI e completamente destruído pelas flutuações quânticas provenientes do G. Dessa forma, a desordem combinada com a diluição pode apresentar um cenário favorável a ocorrência de CI, enquanto o campo aleatório e as flutuações quânticas agem contra este tipo de transição. / In this work, two adaptations to the original model proposed by van Hemmen are used with the aim of investigating the e ects of a random eld hi under the phase transitions: a model studied in the classical version and a model in the fermionic formulation. The van Hemmen model was chosen because the disorder can be treated without the use of the replica method. In the rst case, the classic model has a crystal eld (D) which energetically favors the non-interacting states. The random interactions Ji j are responsible for introduce disorder and frustration to the problem. Both random eld and random variables follow a bimodal probability distribution. Analyzing the behavior of the order parameters and the free energy, phase diagrams of temperatura T versus the ferromagnetic coupling J0 and T versus the crystal eld D for di erent values of hi were build. The results indicate that the presence of the random eld tends to reduce the tricritical point of the phase transitions. For a given value of hi, a new solution of phase spin glass (SG) can be favored. In addition, for su ciently high enough values of hi the problem presents multicritical points in phase transitions. It is also intended to investigate if this model is able to present some kind of inverse transition (IT) IT is a class of highly nonintuitive phase transitions in that the usual ordered phase has more entropy than the disordered one. The IT manifests in the phase diagrams as a reentrance of the disordered-ordereddisordered phase according to the temperature decreases. Although the model presents several tricritical points in the transition PM=SG, no type of reentrant transition was observed. Therefore, there is no evidence of inverse transition in this model. The model analyzed in the fermionic formulation has a chemical potential (m), which has the role of controlling the magnetic dilution related to favoring double-occupation or empty sites. This model also counts with a transverse magnetic eld G, which introduces quantum uctuations to the problem. In this case, the spin interactions Ji j and random eld follow a Gaussian distribution The introduction of the hi allows the investigation of IT under the e ects of a disorder that is not a source of frustration. The results show a reentrant transition from the SG phase to the PM phase in the absence of G and hi. The reentrance appears for a certain range of m, in which there is a PM phase at low temperatures with lower entropy than the SG phase, characterizing the inverse freezing (IF) transition. However, IF is gradually suppressed when the e ects hi are intensi ed. Moreover, the IF is completely destroyed by quantum uctuations from G. Thus, the disorder combined with the dilution may present the favorable scenario to the occurrence of IF, while the random eld and the uctuations quantum mechanics act against this kind of transition.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / This work analyzes a spin glass (SG) model with cluster in two versions: a classic version with Ising spins and in a fermionic version with spin operators. In this model, the basic entities are correlated clusters that interact each other disorderedly (intercluster interaction). It is also considered short-range interactions among spins belonging to the same cluster (intracluster interaction), which can be ferromagnetic (FE) or antiferro- magnetic (AF). Disordered intercluster interactions are analytically calculated by using the framework of Parisi one-step replica symmetry breaking. After this treatment, we get an effective single cluster model solved by exact diagonalization. The fermionic version of the model can introduce quantum fluctuations by means of a transverse magnetic field Γ. As a result, the linear susceptibility χ has a cusp at the transition temperature Tf and the specific heat Cv has a broad maximum at temperature T* about 20% above Tf . However, for Γ sufficiently high, this difference is greater. This behavior is observed by some authors for the compound LiHoxY1-xF4 at low concentration. Furthermore, the fermionic SG model with cluster in the grand canonical ensemble (where the chemical potential μ introduces charge fluctuations) is used to investigate the mechanisms responsible for the inverse freezing (IF). In this analysis, for a certain region of μ, a reentrance related to the inverse freezing arises. However, the increase of the FE intracluster interactions J0 can take the tricritical point to lower T, introducing a second-order IF transition. On the other hand, the Γ destroys gradually the inverse freezing. The necessary mechanisms for the emergence of inverse freezing transition are also studied using the cluster SG model in a classic version with Ising spins. This study is firstly conducted considering only firstneighbors intracluster interactions AF and in a second moment considering intracluster interactions among second neighbors, where it is possible to introduce intracluster geometrical frustration. The presence of antiferromagnetic intracluster interactions decreases the total magnetic moment of the clusters, leading to a PM phase with low entropy, favoring the appearance of inverse freezing. Moreover, the presence of geometrical frustration is contrary to the emergence of inverse freezing. / Este trabalho analisa um modelo de vidro de spin (VS) com clusters em duasversões: uma versão clássica com spins de Ising e uma versão fermiônica com operadores de spins. Neste modelo, as entidades básicas são clusters correlacionados que interagem entre si de modo desordenado (interação intercluster). Considera-se também interações de curto-alcance entre momentos magnéticos pertencentes ao mesmo cluster (interação intracluster), que podem ser ferromagnéticas (FE) ou antiferromagnéticas (AF). As interações desordenadas intercluster são calculadas analiticamente através do método das réplicas com aproximação de um passo de quebra de simetria de réplicas. Após o tratamento, chega-se a um modelo efetivo de um único cluster resolvido por diagonalização exata. A versão fermiônica do modelo pode introduzir flutuações quânticas por meio de um campo magnético transverso Γ. Como resultados, a curva da susceptibilidade magnéticaΓ em função da temperatura T apresenta um pico agudo na temperatura de transição Tf e a curva do calor específico Cv em função de T apresenta um máximo arredondado à temperatura T* cerca de 20% acima de Tf . Porém, para um Γ suficientemente alto, esta diferença é muito maior, comportamento que é observado por alguns autores para o composto LiHoxY1-xF4 a baixas concentrações. Além disso, o modelo VS fermiônico com clusters no ensemble grão-canônico (onde o potencial químico μ introduz flutuações de carga) é usado para investigar os mecanismos responsáveis pelo congelamento inverso. Nesta análise, para uma certa região de μ, uma reentrância relacionada ao congelamento inverso surge. Entretanto, o aumento das interações FE intracluster J0 pode levar o ponto tricrítico para valores de T mais baixos, fazendo com que uma transição reentrante de segunda-ordem apareça. Por outro lado, o efeito de Γ é destruir o congelamento inverso gradativamente. Os mecanismos necessários para o surgimento da transição congelamento inverso também são estudados através do modelo de VS com clusters em uma versão clássica utilizando spins de Ising. Este estudo é realizado primeiramente considerando somente primeiros vizinhos intracluster AF e em um segundo momento considerando interações intracluster entre primeiros e segundos vizinhos, onde é possível introduzir frustração geométrica intracluster. A presença de interações antiferromagnéticas intracluster diminui o momento magnético total dos clusters, levando a uma fase PM de baixa entropia, favorecendo o aparecimento de congelamento inverso. Por outro lado, a presença de frustração geométrica é contrária ao surgimento de congelamento inverso.