Evolution of competing magnetic order in the Jeff=1/2 insulating state of Sr2Ir1-xRuxO4

We investigate the magnetic properties of the series ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}{\mathrm{Ir}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Ru}}_{x}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ with neutron, resonant x-ray, and magnetization measurements. The results indicate an evolution and coexistence of magnetic structures via a spin-flop transition from $ab$-plane to $c$-axis collinear order as the $5d {\mathrm{Ir}}^{4+}$ ions are replaced with an increasing concentration of $4d {\mathrm{Ru}}^{4+}$ ions. The magnetic structures within the ordered regime of the phase diagram ($xl0.3$) are reported. Despite the changes in magnetic structure no alteration of the ${J}_{\mathrm{eff}}=1/2$ ground state is observed. The behavior of ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}{\mathrm{Ir}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Ru}}_{x}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ is consistent with electronic phase separation and diverges from a standard scenario of hole doping. The role of lattice alterations with doping on the magnetic and insulating behavior is considered. The results presented here provide insight into the magnetic insulating states in strong spin-orbit coupled materials and the role perturbations play in altering the behavior.