We demonstrate that the changes in the elastic properties of the FeAs systems, as seen in our resonant ultrasound spectroscopy data, can be naturally understood in terms of fluctuations of emerging nematic degrees of freedom. Both the softening of the lattice in the normal, tetragonal phase as well as its hardening in the superconducting phase are consistently described by our model. Our results confirm the view that structural order is induced by magnetic fluctuations.

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We present results from a detailed experimental investigation of LaFeAsO, the parent material in the series of "FeAs" based oxypnictide superconductors. Upon cooling, this material undergoes a tetragonalorthorhombic crystallographic phase transition at ϳ160 K followed closely by an antiferromagnetic ordering near 145 K. Analysis of these phase transitions using temperature dependent powder x-ray and neutrondiffraction measurements is presented. A magnetic moment of ϳ0.35 B per iron is derived from Mössbauer spectra in the low-temperature phase. Evidence of the structural transition is observed at temperatures well above the transition temperature ͑up to near 200 K͒ in the diffraction data as well as the polycrystalline elastic moduli probed by resonant ultrasound spectroscopy measurements. The effects of the two phase transitions on the transport properties ͑resistivity, thermal conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and Hall coefficient͒, heat capacity, and magnetization of LaFeAsO are also reported, including a dramatic increase in the magnitude of the Hall coefficient below 160 K. The results suggest that the structural distortion leads to a localization of carriers on Fe, producing small local magnetic moments which subsequently order antiferromagnetically upon further cooling. Evidence of strong electron-phonon interactions in the high-temperature tetragonal phase is also observed.

Extraordinary magnetostrictive behavior has been observed in Fe-Ga alloys with concentrations of Ga between 4% and 27%. λ 100 exhibits two peaks as a function of Ga content. At room temperature, λ 100 reaches a maximum of 265 ppm near 19% Ga and 235 ppm near 27% Ga. For compositions between 19% and 27%, λ 100 drops sharply to a minimum near 24% Ga and exhibits an anomalous temperature dependence, decreasing by as much as a factor of 2 at low temperatures. This unusual magnetostrictive behavior is interpreted on the basis of a single maximum in the magnetoelastic coupling |b 1 | of Fe with increasing amounts of nonmagnetic Ga, combined with a strongly temperature dependent elastic shear modulus (c 11 −c 12 ) which approaches zero near 27% Ga. λ 111 is significantly smaller in magnitude than λ 100 over this composition range, and has an abrupt change in sign from negative for low Ga concentrations to positive for a concentration of Ga near 21%. Extraordinary magnetostrictive behavior has been observed in Fe-Ga alloys with concentrations of Ga between 4% and 27%. 100 exhibits two peaks as a function of Ga content. At room temperature, 100 reaches a maximum of 265 ppm near 19% Ga and 235 ppm near 27% Ga. For compositions between 19% and 27%, 100 drops sharply to a minimum near 24% Ga and exhibits an anomalous temperature dependence, decreasing by as much as a factor of 2 at low temperatures. This unusual magnetostrictive behavior is interpreted on the basis of a single maximum in the magnetoelastic coupling ͉b 1 ͉ of Fe with increasing amounts of nonmagnetic Ga, combined with a strongly temperature dependent elastic shear modulus (c 11 Ϫc 12 ) which approaches zero near 27% Ga. 111 is significantly smaller in magnitude than 100 over this composition range, and has an abrupt change in sign from negative for low Ga concentrations to positive for a concentration of Ga near 21%.

Cd 2 Os 2 O 7 crystallizes in the pyrochlore structure and undergoes a metal-insulator transition ͑MIT͒ near 226 K. We have characterized the MIT in Cd 2 Os 2 O 7 using x-ray diffraction, resistivity at ambient and high pressure, specific heat, magnetization, thermopower, Hall coefficient, and thermal conductivity. Both single crystals and polycrystalline material were examined. The MIT is accompanied by no change in crystal symmetry and a change in unit-cell volume of less than 0.05%. The resistivity shows little temperature dependence above 226 K, but increases by 3 orders of magnitude as the sample is cooled to 4 K. The specific heat anomaly resembles a mean-field transition and shows no hysteresis or latent heat. Cd 2 Os 2 O 7 orders magnetically at the MIT. The magnetization data are consistent with antiferromagnetic order, with a small parasitic ferromagnetic component. The Hall and Seebeck coefficients are consistent with a semiconducting gap opening at the Fermi energy at the MIT. We have also performed electronic structure calculations on Cd 2 Os 2 O 7. These calculations indicate that Cd 2 Os 2 O 7 is metallic, with a sharp peak in the density of states at the Fermi energy. We interpret the data in terms of a Slater transition. In this scenario, the MIT is produced by a doubling of the unit cell due to the establishment of antiferromagnetic order. A Slater transition-unlike a Mott transition-is predicted to be continuous, with a semiconducting energy gap opening much like a BCS gap as the material is cooled below T MIT .