Quasi-one-dimensional BalrO ₃: On the verge of a weak ferromagnetic metallic state

Abstract
We report on calorimetric, resistivity, and magnetization measurements on single crystal BalrO ₃ and its derivatives. All results indicate a phase transition at =175 K, and two additional features are observed in resistivity: a sharp peak at 80 K and an upturn at 26 K. It is found that dilute impurity doping with Sr drastically suppresses and leads to an instant nonmetal to metal transition below underlining the instability of the ground state.