Pyrochlore

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Pyrochlore (Na,Ca)2Nb2O6(OH,F) is a niobate of calcium, cerium, and other bases, occurring usually in octahedrons of a yellowish or brownish color and resinous luster. So called from its becoming grass-green on being subjected to heat under the blowpipe.

Pyrochlore is also a more generic term for the pyrochlore crystal structure. The more general crystal structure describes materials of the type A2B2O6 and A2B2O7 where the A and B species are generally rare-earth or transition metal species. These systems are particularly susceptible to geometrical frustration and novel magnetic effects. Examples include the spin-ice system Dy2Ti2O7 and the spin glass system Y2Mo2O7.

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