Evolution of Magnetic and Transport Properties in Pyrochlore Iridates A_2Ir_2O_7(A=Y,Eu,Bi)

We study the structure, magnetization, electrical transport properties and heat capacity of the pyrochlore iridates A_2Ir_2O_7(A=Y, Eu, Bi). It is found that magnetic frustration and long-range magnetic order coexist in Y_2Ir_2O_7 and Eu_2Ir_2O_7, while Bi_2Ir_2O_7 shows magnetic frustration or short-range magnetic order without long-range magnetic order. The former two compounds show insulating behavior. However, the latter one shows metallic behavior. The variations of the radius of A-site ion affect the conduction bandwidth, correlation and Ir-Ir exchange energy, which in turn determine transport properties and magnetic properties. We also find that the antiferromagnetic ordering of pyrochlore iridates is weakly frustrated. The all-in/all-out type of anisotropy based on spin-orbit coupling plays a key role in releasing the frustration.