A major area of interest in condensed matter physics over the past decades has been the emergence of new states of matter from strongly correlated electron systems. A few limited examples would be the emergence of unconventional superconductivity in the high-T$_c$ superconductors and heavy-fermion systems, the appearance of the skyrmion magnetic vortex state in MnSi and magnetically mediated superconductivity in UGe$_2$. While detailed studies of many of the emergent phases have been made, there are still many gaps in understanding of the underlying states and mechanisms that allow them to form. This work aims to add to knowledge of the basic physics behind such states, and the changes within them as they are tuned to approach new phases. The cubic perovskite material SrTiO$_3$ has been studied for many decades and is well-documented to be an incipient ferroelectric, theorised to exist in the absence of any tuning in the proximity of a ferroelectric quantum critical point. This work presents the first high-precision dielectric measurements under hydrostatic pressure carried out on a quantum critical ferroelectric, leading to a full pressure-temperature phase diagram for SrTiO$_3$. The influence of quantum critical fluctuations is seen to diminish as the system is tuned away from the quantum critical point and a novel low temperature phase is shown to be emergent from it. The Néel Temperature of the two-dimensional antiferromagnet FePS$_3$ was found to increase linearly with applied hydrostatic pressure. Evidence of an insulator-metal transition is also presented, and an unexplained upturn in the resistivity at low temperatures in the metallic phase.

<p>In the first part of this work, the influence of hydrogen on the structural and magnetic properties of Fe/V(001) superlattices was studied. The local structure of the vanadium-hydride layers was determined by extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements. The magnetic ordering in a weakly coupled Fe/V(001) superlattice was investigated using the magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE). The interlayer exchange coupling is weakened upon alloying with hydrogen and a phase with short-range magnetic order was observed.</p><p>The second part is concerned with first-principles calculations of magnetic materials, with a focus on magnetic recording applications. The uniaxial magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE) of Fe, Co, and Ni was calculated for tetragonal and trigonal structures. Based on an analysis of the electronic states of tetragonal Fe and Co at the center of the Brillouin zone, tetragonal Fe-Co alloys were proposed as a material that combines a large uniaxial MAE with a large saturation magnetization. This was confirmed by experimental studies on (Fe,Co)/Pt superlattices. The large uniaxial MAE of L1₀ FePt is caused by the large spin-orbit interaction on the Pt sites in connection with a strong hybridization between Fe and Pt. Furthermore, it was shown that the uniaxial MAE can be increased by alloying the Fe sublattice with Mn. The combination of the high-moment rare-earth (RE) metals with the high-<i>T</i>_C 3<i>d</i> transition metals in RE/Cr/Fe multilayers (RE = Gd, Tb, Dy) gives rise to a strong ferromagnetic effective exchange interaction between the Fe layers and the RE layer. The MAE of hcp Gd was found to have two principal contributions, namely the dipole interaction of the large localized 4<i>f</i> spins and the band electron magnetic anisotropy due to the spin-orbit interaction. The peculiar temperature dependence of the easy axis of magnetization was reproduced on a qualitative level.</p>

In the first part of this work, the influence of hydrogen on the structural and magnetic properties of Fe/V(001) superlattices was studied. The local structure of the vanadium-hydride layers was determined by extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements. The magnetic ordering in a weakly coupled Fe/V(001) superlattice was investigated using the magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE). The interlayer exchange coupling is weakened upon alloying with hydrogen and a phase with short-range magnetic order was observed. The second part is concerned with first-principles calculations of magnetic materials, with a focus on magnetic recording applications. The uniaxial magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE) of Fe, Co, and Ni was calculated for tetragonal and trigonal structures. Based on an analysis of the electronic states of tetragonal Fe and Co at the center of the Brillouin zone, tetragonal Fe-Co alloys were proposed as a material that combines a large uniaxial MAE with a large saturation magnetization. This was confirmed by experimental studies on (Fe,Co)/Pt superlattices. The large uniaxial MAE of L10 FePt is caused by the large spin-orbit interaction on the Pt sites in connection with a strong hybridization between Fe and Pt. Furthermore, it was shown that the uniaxial MAE can be increased by alloying the Fe sublattice with Mn. The combination of the high-moment rare-earth (RE) metals with the high-TC 3d transition metals in RE/Cr/Fe multilayers (RE = Gd, Tb, Dy) gives rise to a strong ferromagnetic effective exchange interaction between the Fe layers and the RE layer. The MAE of hcp Gd was found to have two principal contributions, namely the dipole interaction of the large localized 4f spins and the band electron magnetic anisotropy due to the spin-orbit interaction. The peculiar temperature dependence of the easy axis of magnetization was reproduced on a qualitative level.

The thesis is devoted to the study of in-chain impurities in spin 1/2 antiferromagnetic Heisenberg chains (S=1/2 aHC's)---a model which accompanies the research on magnetism since the early days of quantum theory and which is one of the few integrable spin systems. With respect to impurities it is special insofar as an impurity perturbs the system strongly due to its topology: there is no way around the defect. To what extend the one-dimensional picture stays a good basis for the description of real materials even if the chains are disturbed by in-chain impurities is an interesting question which is addressed in this work. For this purpose, Cu Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) measurements on the cuprate spin chain compounds SrCuO2 and Sr2CuO3 intentionally doped with nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn) and palladium (Pd) are presented. These materials are well known to be among the best realizations of the S=1/2 aHC model and their large exchange coupling constants allow the investigation of the low-energy dynamics within experimentally easily feasible temperatures. NMR provides the unique ability to study the static and dynamic magnetic properties of the spin chains locally which is important since randomly placed impurities break the translational invariance. Because copper is the magnetically active ion in those materials and the copper nuclear spin is most directly coupled to its electron spin, the NMR measurements have been performed on the copper site. The measurements show in all cases that there are changes in the results of these measurements as compared to the pure compounds which indicate the opening of gaps in the excitation spectra of the spin chains and the emergence of oscillations of the local susceptibility close to the impurities. These experimental observations are compared to theoretical predictions to clarify if and to what extend the already proposed model for these doped systems---the finite spin chain---is suitable to predict the behavior of real materials. Thereby, each impurity shows peculiarities. While Zn and Pd are know to be spin 0 impurities, it is not clear if Ni carries spin 1. To shed some light on this issue is another scope of this work. For Zn impurities, there are indications that they avoid to occupy copper sites, other than in the layered cuprate compounds. Also this matter is considered.

The thesis is devoted to the study of in-chain impurities in spin 1/2 antiferromagnetic Heisenberg chains (S=1/2 aHC's)---a model which accompanies the research on magnetism since the early days of quantum theory and which is one of the few integrable spin systems. With respect to impurities it is special insofar as an impurity perturbs the system strongly due to its topology: there is no way around the defect. To what extend the one-dimensional picture stays a good basis for the description of real materials even if the chains are disturbed by in-chain impurities is an interesting question which is addressed in this work. For this purpose, Cu Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) measurements on the cuprate spin chain compounds SrCuO2 and Sr2CuO3 intentionally doped with nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn) and palladium (Pd) are presented. These materials are well known to be among the best realizations of the S=1/2 aHC model and their large exchange coupling constants allow the investigation of the low-energy dynamics within experimentally easily feasible temperatures. NMR provides the unique ability to study the static and dynamic magnetic properties of the spin chains locally which is important since randomly placed impurities break the translational invariance. Because copper is the magnetically active ion in those materials and the copper nuclear spin is most directly coupled to its electron spin, the NMR measurements have been performed on the copper site. The measurements show in all cases that there are changes in the results of these measurements as compared to the pure compounds which indicate the opening of gaps in the excitation spectra of the spin chains and the emergence of oscillations of the local susceptibility close to the impurities. These experimental observations are compared to theoretical predictions to clarify if and to what extend the already proposed model for these doped systems---the finite spin chain---is suitable to predict the behavior of real materials. Thereby, each impurity shows peculiarities. While Zn and Pd are know to be spin 0 impurities, it is not clear if Ni carries spin 1. To shed some light on this issue is another scope of this work. For Zn impurities, there are indications that they avoid to occupy copper sites, other than in the layered cuprate compounds. Also this matter is considered.

Cette étude expérimentale est consacrée à la structure cristalline et aux propriétés magnétiques des phases orthorhombiques ANb2O6 (A = métaux magnétiques) qui ont retenues notre attention en tant que système Ising modèle quasi 1D. Ce comportement magnétique original de basse dimension résulte à la fois de la force des interactions magnétiques le long des chaînes d'atomes magnétiques quasi-unidimensionnelles, et à la faiblesse des interactions entre les chaînes qui sont de nature antiferromagnétique. Lorsque ces composés sont ordonnés l’ensemble de ces interactions inter et intra chaîne conduit à un ordre antiferromagnétique. Notre investigation s’appuie sur une caractérisation systématique de la série de composés AxA’1-xNb2O6 (A et A’ = Ni, Fe et Co), par des mesures variées et complémentaires, notamment: diffraction des rayons X à température ambiante, diffraction de neutrons au dessus et en dessous de la température d'ordre magnétique, mesures magnétiques : évolution thermique de courbes d’aimantation isochamp et mesures d’aimantation isotherme. De plus, des mesures de la chaleur spécifique et de spectroscopie Mössbauer ont été réalisées sur certains échantillons sélectionnés. Nous avons mis à jour, selon la concentration, des comportement très différents dans les systèmes pseudo binaires Fe-Co, Ni-Fe ou Co-Ni qui peuvent soit présenter un état ordonné soit conserver un état paramagnétique jusqu'à de très basses températures. Nos mesures démontrent que la température d’ordre magnétique et les vecteurs de propagations diffèrent sensiblement selon la composition car ces systèmes sont caractérisés par une compétition entre les interactions magnétiques mises en jeu dans un réseau triangulaire interchaines. Cette étude montre que le désordre cationique Fe/Co induit une réduction substantielle des interactions tant inter que intra chaînes, ce qui traduit la tendance à défavoriser l’établissement d’un ordre magnétique à longue portée. De manière similaire, le système NixFe1-xNb2O6 ne présente pas d’ordre magnétique pour x=0,2 et ceci jusqu’à 400 mk au moins. / Este trabalho é dedicado à investigação das propriedades estruturais e magnéticas destes compostos de estrutura ortorrômbica (A = metais magnéticos) ANb2O6 que chamaram nossa atenção como um sistema de Ising quase-1D. Esse comportamento magnético original de baixa dimensionalidade é resultado das interações magnéticas ao longo das cadeias de átomos magnéticos quase uni-dimensional, e ainda pelas fracas interações antiferromagnética entre as cadeias. Quando esses compostos são ordenadas todas essas interações dentro e entre as cadeias leva a uma ordem global antiferromagnético. Nossa investigação é baseada em uma caracterização sistemática da série de compostos AxA’1-xNb2O6 (A et A’ = Ni, Fe e Co), por diferentes tipos de medidas complementares, tais como: difração de raios X à temperatura ambiente, difração de nêutrons acima e abaixo da temperatura de ordenamento magnético, medidas magnéticas: evolução térmica das curvas de magnetização e isoterma de magnetização sob variação de campo aplicado. Além disso, medidas de calor específico e espectroscopia Mössbauer foram realizadas em algumas amostras selecionadas. Nós encontramos interessantes resultados, para diferentes concentrações, com diferentes comportamentos nos sistemas pseudobinários Fe-Co, Ni-Fe ou Co-Ni, que podem permanecer no estado paramagnético até temperaturas muito baixas ou ordenarse dependendo da série analisada. Nossas medidas mostram que a temperatura de ordenamento magnético e vetores de propagação diferem substancialmente, dependendo da composição, por esses sistemas serem caracterizados por uma competição entre as interações magnéticas que estão envolvidas em uma rede triangular intermoleculares. Este estudo mostra que a desordem catiônicos Fe/Co induz uma redução substancial em ambas as interações dentro das; e entre as; cadeias, refletindo a tendência de se opor à criação de uma ordem de longo alcance magnético. Da mesma forma, o sistema NixFe1-xNb2O6 não mostra ordenamento magnético nem em medidas de até 400 mk realizadas para x = 0,2. / This work is dedicated to the investigation of structural and magnetic properties of these compounds with orthorhombic structure (A = magnetic metals) ANb2O6 that caught our attention as a system of quasi-1D Ising. This unique magnetic behavior is the result of low-dimensional magnetic interaction along the chains of magnetic atoms almost uni-dimensional, and also by weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the chains. When these compounds are ordered all these interactions between and within the chain leads to a global antiferromagnetic order. Our research is based on a systematic characterization of the series of compounds AxA'1-xNb2O6 (A et A' = Ni, Fe and Co) by differents types of complementary measures, such as X-ray diffraction at room temperature, neutron diffraction above and below the magnetic ordering temperature, magnetic measurements: thermal evolution of magnetization curves and isotherm magnetization variation in applied field. In addition, specific heat measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy were performed on some selected samples. We found interesting results depending on the concentration, different behaviors on these pseudo binary systems Ni-Fe, Fe-Co, or Co-Ni, which can remain in the paramagnetic state up to very low temperatures or to order depending on the series analyzed. Our measurements show that the magnetic ordering temperature and propagation vectors differ substantially depending on the composition, for these systems are characterized by a competition between magnetic interactions that are involved in a triangular lattice intermolecular. This study shows that disorder cationic Fe / Co induced a substantial reduction in both the interactions within and between them; chains, reflecting the tendency to oppose the creation of a long-range magnetic order. Likewise, the system NixFe1-xNb2O6 dont shows magnetic ordering even at measures taken up to 400 mk for x = 0.2.

No description available.

Cette étude expérimentale est consacrée à la structure cristalline et aux propriétés magnétiques des phases orthorhombiques ANb2O6 (A = métaux magnétiques) qui ont retenues notre attention en tant que système Ising modèle quasi 1D. Ce comportement magnétique original de basse dimension résulte à la fois de la force des interactions magnétiques le long des chaînes d'atomes magnétiques quasi-unidimensionnelles, et à la faiblesse des interactions entre les chaînes qui sont de nature antiferromagnétique. Lorsque ces composés sont ordonnés l’ensemble de ces interactions inter et intra chaîne conduit à un ordre antiferromagnétique. Notre investigation s’appuie sur une caractérisation systématique de la série de composés AxA’1-xNb2O6 (A et A’ = Ni, Fe et Co), par des mesures variées et complémentaires, notamment: diffraction des rayons X à température ambiante, diffraction de neutrons au dessus et en dessous de la température d'ordre magnétique, mesures magnétiques : évolution thermique de courbes d’aimantation isochamp et mesures d’aimantation isotherme. De plus, des mesures de la chaleur spécifique et de spectroscopie Mössbauer ont été réalisées sur certains échantillons sélectionnés. Nous avons mis à jour, selon la concentration, des comportement très différents dans les systèmes pseudo binaires Fe-Co, Ni-Fe ou Co-Ni qui peuvent soit présenter un état ordonné soit conserver un état paramagnétique jusqu'à de très basses températures. Nos mesures démontrent que la température d’ordre magnétique et les vecteurs de propagations diffèrent sensiblement selon la composition car ces systèmes sont caractérisés par une compétition entre les interactions magnétiques mises en jeu dans un réseau triangulaire interchaines. Cette étude montre que le désordre cationique Fe/Co induit une réduction substantielle des interactions tant inter que intra chaînes, ce qui traduit la tendance à défavoriser l’établissement d’un ordre magnétique à longue portée. De manière similaire, le système NixFe1-xNb2O6 ne présente pas d’ordre magnétique pour x=0,2 et ceci jusqu’à 400 mk au moins. / Este trabalho é dedicado à investigação das propriedades estruturais e magnéticas destes compostos de estrutura ortorrômbica (A = metais magnéticos) ANb2O6 que chamaram nossa atenção como um sistema de Ising quase-1D. Esse comportamento magnético original de baixa dimensionalidade é resultado das interações magnéticas ao longo das cadeias de átomos magnéticos quase uni-dimensional, e ainda pelas fracas interações antiferromagnética entre as cadeias. Quando esses compostos são ordenadas todas essas interações dentro e entre as cadeias leva a uma ordem global antiferromagnético. Nossa investigação é baseada em uma caracterização sistemática da série de compostos AxA’1-xNb2O6 (A et A’ = Ni, Fe e Co), por diferentes tipos de medidas complementares, tais como: difração de raios X à temperatura ambiente, difração de nêutrons acima e abaixo da temperatura de ordenamento magnético, medidas magnéticas: evolução térmica das curvas de magnetização e isoterma de magnetização sob variação de campo aplicado. Além disso, medidas de calor específico e espectroscopia Mössbauer foram realizadas em algumas amostras selecionadas. Nós encontramos interessantes resultados, para diferentes concentrações, com diferentes comportamentos nos sistemas pseudobinários Fe-Co, Ni-Fe ou Co-Ni, que podem permanecer no estado paramagnético até temperaturas muito baixas ou ordenarse dependendo da série analisada. Nossas medidas mostram que a temperatura de ordenamento magnético e vetores de propagação diferem substancialmente, dependendo da composição, por esses sistemas serem caracterizados por uma competição entre as interações magnéticas que estão envolvidas em uma rede triangular intermoleculares. Este estudo mostra que a desordem catiônicos Fe/Co induz uma redução substancial em ambas as interações dentro das; e entre as; cadeias, refletindo a tendência de se opor à criação de uma ordem de longo alcance magnético. Da mesma forma, o sistema NixFe1-xNb2O6 não mostra ordenamento magnético nem em medidas de até 400 mk realizadas para x = 0,2. / This work is dedicated to the investigation of structural and magnetic properties of these compounds with orthorhombic structure (A = magnetic metals) ANb2O6 that caught our attention as a system of quasi-1D Ising. This unique magnetic behavior is the result of low-dimensional magnetic interaction along the chains of magnetic atoms almost uni-dimensional, and also by weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the chains. When these compounds are ordered all these interactions between and within the chain leads to a global antiferromagnetic order. Our research is based on a systematic characterization of the series of compounds AxA'1-xNb2O6 (A et A' = Ni, Fe and Co) by differents types of complementary measures, such as X-ray diffraction at room temperature, neutron diffraction above and below the magnetic ordering temperature, magnetic measurements: thermal evolution of magnetization curves and isotherm magnetization variation in applied field. In addition, specific heat measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy were performed on some selected samples. We found interesting results depending on the concentration, different behaviors on these pseudo binary systems Ni-Fe, Fe-Co, or Co-Ni, which can remain in the paramagnetic state up to very low temperatures or to order depending on the series analyzed. Our measurements show that the magnetic ordering temperature and propagation vectors differ substantially depending on the composition, for these systems are characterized by a competition between magnetic interactions that are involved in a triangular lattice intermolecular. This study shows that disorder cationic Fe / Co induced a substantial reduction in both the interactions within and between them; chains, reflecting the tendency to oppose the creation of a long-range magnetic order. Likewise, the system NixFe1-xNb2O6 dont shows magnetic ordering even at measures taken up to 400 mk for x = 0.2.

Cette étude expérimentale est consacrée à la structure cristalline et aux propriétés magnétiques des phases orthorhombiques ANb2O6 (A = métaux magnétiques) qui ont retenues notre attention en tant que système Ising modèle quasi 1D. Ce comportement magnétique original de basse dimension résulte à la fois de la force des interactions magnétiques le long des chaînes d'atomes magnétiques quasi-unidimensionnelles, et à la faiblesse des interactions entre les chaînes qui sont de nature antiferromagnétique. Lorsque ces composés sont ordonnés l’ensemble de ces interactions inter et intra chaîne conduit à un ordre antiferromagnétique. Notre investigation s’appuie sur une caractérisation systématique de la série de composés AxA’1-xNb2O6 (A et A’ = Ni, Fe et Co), par des mesures variées et complémentaires, notamment: diffraction des rayons X à température ambiante, diffraction de neutrons au dessus et en dessous de la température d'ordre magnétique, mesures magnétiques : évolution thermique de courbes d’aimantation isochamp et mesures d’aimantation isotherme. De plus, des mesures de la chaleur spécifique et de spectroscopie Mössbauer ont été réalisées sur certains échantillons sélectionnés. Nous avons mis à jour, selon la concentration, des comportement très différents dans les systèmes pseudo binaires Fe-Co, Ni-Fe ou Co-Ni qui peuvent soit présenter un état ordonné soit conserver un état paramagnétique jusqu'à de très basses températures. Nos mesures démontrent que la température d’ordre magnétique et les vecteurs de propagations diffèrent sensiblement selon la composition car ces systèmes sont caractérisés par une compétition entre les interactions magnétiques mises en jeu dans un réseau triangulaire interchaines. Cette étude montre que le désordre cationique Fe/Co induit une réduction substantielle des interactions tant inter que intra chaînes, ce qui traduit la tendance à défavoriser l’établissement d’un ordre magnétique à longue portée. De manière similaire, le système NixFe1-xNb2O6 ne présente pas d’ordre magnétique pour x=0,2 et ceci jusqu’à 400 mk au moins. / Este trabalho é dedicado à investigação das propriedades estruturais e magnéticas destes compostos de estrutura ortorrômbica (A = metais magnéticos) ANb2O6 que chamaram nossa atenção como um sistema de Ising quase-1D. Esse comportamento magnético original de baixa dimensionalidade é resultado das interações magnéticas ao longo das cadeias de átomos magnéticos quase uni-dimensional, e ainda pelas fracas interações antiferromagnética entre as cadeias. Quando esses compostos são ordenadas todas essas interações dentro e entre as cadeias leva a uma ordem global antiferromagnético. Nossa investigação é baseada em uma caracterização sistemática da série de compostos AxA’1-xNb2O6 (A et A’ = Ni, Fe e Co), por diferentes tipos de medidas complementares, tais como: difração de raios X à temperatura ambiente, difração de nêutrons acima e abaixo da temperatura de ordenamento magnético, medidas magnéticas: evolução térmica das curvas de magnetização e isoterma de magnetização sob variação de campo aplicado. Além disso, medidas de calor específico e espectroscopia Mössbauer foram realizadas em algumas amostras selecionadas. Nós encontramos interessantes resultados, para diferentes concentrações, com diferentes comportamentos nos sistemas pseudobinários Fe-Co, Ni-Fe ou Co-Ni, que podem permanecer no estado paramagnético até temperaturas muito baixas ou ordenarse dependendo da série analisada. Nossas medidas mostram que a temperatura de ordenamento magnético e vetores de propagação diferem substancialmente, dependendo da composição, por esses sistemas serem caracterizados por uma competição entre as interações magnéticas que estão envolvidas em uma rede triangular intermoleculares. Este estudo mostra que a desordem catiônicos Fe/Co induz uma redução substancial em ambas as interações dentro das; e entre as; cadeias, refletindo a tendência de se opor à criação de uma ordem de longo alcance magnético. Da mesma forma, o sistema NixFe1-xNb2O6 não mostra ordenamento magnético nem em medidas de até 400 mk realizadas para x = 0,2. / This work is dedicated to the investigation of structural and magnetic properties of these compounds with orthorhombic structure (A = magnetic metals) ANb2O6 that caught our attention as a system of quasi-1D Ising. This unique magnetic behavior is the result of low-dimensional magnetic interaction along the chains of magnetic atoms almost uni-dimensional, and also by weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the chains. When these compounds are ordered all these interactions between and within the chain leads to a global antiferromagnetic order. Our research is based on a systematic characterization of the series of compounds AxA'1-xNb2O6 (A et A' = Ni, Fe and Co) by differents types of complementary measures, such as X-ray diffraction at room temperature, neutron diffraction above and below the magnetic ordering temperature, magnetic measurements: thermal evolution of magnetization curves and isotherm magnetization variation in applied field. In addition, specific heat measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy were performed on some selected samples. We found interesting results depending on the concentration, different behaviors on these pseudo binary systems Ni-Fe, Fe-Co, or Co-Ni, which can remain in the paramagnetic state up to very low temperatures or to order depending on the series analyzed. Our measurements show that the magnetic ordering temperature and propagation vectors differ substantially depending on the composition, for these systems are characterized by a competition between magnetic interactions that are involved in a triangular lattice intermolecular. This study shows that disorder cationic Fe / Co induced a substantial reduction in both the interactions within and between them; chains, reflecting the tendency to oppose the creation of a long-range magnetic order. Likewise, the system NixFe1-xNb2O6 dont shows magnetic ordering even at measures taken up to 400 mk for x = 0.2.

Solid state physics comprises many interesting physical phenomena driven by the complex interplay of the crystal structure, magnetic and orbital degrees of freedom, quantum fluctuations and correlation. The discovery of materials which exhibit exotic phenomena like low dimensional magnetism, superconductivity, thermoelectricity or multiferroic behavior leads to various applications which even directly influence our daily live. For such technical applications and the purposive modification of materials, the understanding of the underlying mechanisms in solids is a precondition. Nowadays DFT based band structure programs become broadly available with the possibility to calculate systems with several hundreds of atoms in reasonable time scales and high accuracy using standard computers due to the rapid technical and conceptional development in the last decades. These improvements allow to study physical properties of solids from their crystal structure and support the search for underlying mechanisms of different phenomena from microscopic grounds. This thesis focuses on the theoretical description of low dimensional magnets and intermetallic compounds. We combine DFT based electronic structure and model calculations to develop the magnetic properties of the compounds from microscopic grounds. The developed, intuitive pictures were challenged by model simulations with various experiments, probing microscopic and macroscopic properties, such as thermodynamic measurements, high field magnetization, nuclear magnetic resonance or electron spin resonance experiments. This combined approach allows to investigate the close interplay of the crystal structure and the magnetic properties of complex materials in close collaboration with experimentalists. In turn, the systematic variation of intrinsic parameters by substitution or of extrinsic factors, like magnetic field, temperature or pressure is an efficient way to probe the derived models. Especially pressure allows a continuous change of the crystal structure on a rather large energy scale without the chemical complexity of substitution, thus being an ideal tool to consistently alter the electronic structure in a controlled way. Our theoretical results not only provide reliable descriptions of real materials, exhibiting disorder, partial site occupation and/or strong correlations, but also predict fascinating phenomena upon extreme conditions. In parts this theoretical predictions were already confirmed by own experiments on large scale facilities. Whereas in the first part of this work the main purpose was to develop reliable magnetic models of low dimensional magnets, in the second part we unraveled the underlying mechanism for different phase transitions upon pressure. In more detail, the first part of this thesis is focused on the magnetic ground states of spin 1/2 transition metal compounds which show fascinating phase diagrams with many unusual ground states, including various types of magnetic order, like helical states exhibiting different pitch angles, driven by the intimate interplay of structural details and quantum fluctuations. The exact arrangement and the connection of the magnetically active building blocks within these materials determine the hybridization, orbital occupation, and orbital orientation, this way altering the exchange paths and strengths of magnetic interaction within the system and consequently being crucial for the formation of the respective ground states. The spin 1/2 transition metal compounds, which have been investigated in this work, illustrate the great variety of exciting phenomena fueling the huge interest in this class of materials. We focused on cuprates with magnetically active CuO4 plaquettes, mainly arranged into edge sharing geometries. The influence of structural peculiarities, as distortion, folding, changed bonding angles, substitution or exchanged ligands has been studied with respect to their relevance for the magnetic ground state. Besides the detailed description of the magnetic ground states of selected compounds, we attempted to unravel the origin for the formation of a particular magnetic ground state by deriving general trends and relations for this class of compounds. The details of the treatment of the correlation and influence of structural peculiarities like distortion or the bond angles are evaluated carefully. In the second part of this work we presented the results of joint theoretical and experimental studies for intermetallic compounds, all exhibiting an isostructural phase transition upon pressure. Many different driving forces for such phase transitions are known like quantum fluctuations, valence instabilities or magnetic ordering. The combination of extensive computational studies and high pressure XRD, XAS and XMCD experiments using synchrotron radiation reveals completely different underlying mechanism for the onset of the phase transitions in YCo5, SrFe2As2 and EuPd3Bx. This thesis demonstrates on a series of complex compounds that the combination of ab-initio electronic structure calculations with numerical simulations and with various experimental techniques is an extremely powerful tool for a successful description of the intriguing quantum phenomena in solids. This approach is able to reduce the complex behavior of real materials to simple but appropriate models, this way providing a deep understanding for the underlying mechanisms and an intuitive picture for many phenomena. In addition, the close interaction of theory and experiment stimulates the improvement and refinement of the methods in both areas, pioneering the grounds for more and more precise descriptions. Further pushing the limits of these mighty techniques will not only be a precondition for the success of fundamental research at the frontier between physics and chemistry, but also enables an advanced material design on computational grounds.