Husimi-cactus approximation study on the diluted spin ice.

Abstract

We investigate dilution effects on the classical spin-ice materials such as Ho_{2}Ti_{2}O_{7} and Dy_{2}Ti_{2}O_{7}. In particular, we derive a formula of the thermodynamic quantities as functions of the temperature and a nonmagnetic ion concentration based on a Husimi-cactus approximation. We find that the formula predicts a dilution-induced crossover from the cooperative to the conventional paramagnets in a ground state, and that it also reproduces the "generalized Pauling's entropy" given by Ke et al. To verify the formula from a numerical viewpoint, we compare these results with Monte Carlo simulation calculation data, and then find good agreement for all parameter values.