Magnetodielectric CuCr0.5V0.5O2: an example of a magnetic and dielectric multiglass.

The complex dielectric susceptibility and spin glass properties of polycrystalline CuCr(0.5)V(0.5)O(2) delafossite have been investigated. Electron diffraction, high resolution electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy show that the Cr(3+) and V (3+) magnetic cations are randomly distributed on the triangular network of CdI(2)-type layers. In contrast to CuCrO(2), CuCr(0.5)V(0.5)O(2) exhibits two distinctive (magnetic and electric) glassy states evidenced by memory effects in electric and magnetic susceptibilities. A large magnetodielectric coupling is observed at low temperature.