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arXiv:1102.0214 · Physical Review Letters

Low-Temperature Dynamics of Magnons in a Spin- 1 / 2 Ladder Compound

Bálint Náfrádi, T. Keller, Hirotaka Manaka, A. Zheludev, B. Keimer

Published Apr 25, 2011• 25 citations
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Abstract

We have used a combination of neutron resonant spin-echo and triple-axis spectroscopies to determine the energy, fine structure, and linewidth of the magnon resonance in the model spin-1/2 ladder antiferromagnet IPA-CuCl(3) at temperatures T≪Δ(0)/k(B), where Δ(0) is the spin gap at T=0. In this low-temperature regime we find that the results deviate substantially from the predictions of the nonlinear sigma model proposed as a description of magnon excitations in one-dimensional quantum magnets and attribute these deviations to real-space and spin-space anisotropies in the spin Hamiltonian as well as scattering of magnon excitations from a dilute density of impurities. These effects are generic to experimental realizations of one-dimensional quantum magnets.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.106.177202

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We have used a combination of neutron resonant spin-echo and triple-axis spectroscopies to determine the energy, fine structure, and linewidth of the magnon resonance in the model spin-1/2 ladder antiferromagnet IPA-CuCl(3) at temperatures T≪Δ(0)/k(B), where Δ(0) is the spin gap at T=0. In this low-temperature regime we find that the results deviate substantially from the predictions of the nonlinear sigma model proposed as a description of magnon excitations in one-dimensional quantum magnets and attribute these deviations to real-space and spin-space anisotropies in the spin Hamiltonian as well as scattering of magnon excitations from a dilute density of impurities. These effects are generic to experimental realizations of one-dimensional quantum magnets.
Temperature dependencies of gap energies and magnon lifetimes are measured in the quasi-one-dimensional S=1/2S=1/2S=1/2 gapped quantum magnets (CH3)2CHNH3CuCL3({\mathrm{CH}}_{3}{)}_{2}{\mathrm{CHNH}}_{3}{\mathrm{CuCL}}_{3}(CH3​)2​CHNH3​CuCL3​ ($\mathrm{IPA}\mathrm{\text{\ensuremath{-}}}{\mathrm{CuCl}}_{3}$, where IPA denotes isopropyl ammonium) and ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cl}}_{4}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}{\mathrm{D}}_{8}{\mathrm{C}}_{4}{\mathrm{SO}}_{2}$ ($\mathrm{Sul}\mathrm{\text{\ensuremath{-}}}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cl}}_{4}$) using inelastic neutron scattering. The results are compared to those found in literature for S=1S=1S=1 Haldane spin chain materials and to theoretical calculations for the O(3)O(3)O(3)- and O(N)O(N)O(N)- quantum nonlinear $\ensuremath{\sigma}$-models. It is found that when the T=0T=0T=0 energy gap $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ is used as the temperature scale, all experimental and theoretical curves are identical to within system-dependent but temperature-independent scaling factors of the order of unity. This quasi-universality extends over a surprising broad TTT range, at least up to $\ensuremath{\kappa}T\ensuremath{\sim}1.5\ensuremath{\Delta}$.
Quasi-universal finite-TTT scaling in gapped one-dimensional quantum magnets
Temperature dependencies of gap energies and magnon lifetimes are measured in the quasi-1-dimensional S=1/2 gapped quantum magnets IPA-CuCl3 and Sul-Cu2Cl4 using inelastic neutron scattering. The results are compared to those found in literature for S=1 Haldane spin chain materials and to theoretical calculations for the O(3)- and O(N)- quantum non-linear sigma-models. It is found that when the T=0 energy gap Delta is used as the temperature scale, all experimental and theoretical curves are identical to within system-dependent but temperature-independent scaling factors of the order of unity. This quasi-universality extends over a surprising broad T range, at least up to kappa T ~ 1.5 Delta.
This thesis describes the neutron scattering measurements of magnetic excitations in \nspin-chains and ladders. The first part discusses an experimental investigation of the copper oxide family Srâ â Cuâ â Oâ â composed of edge-sharing chains and spin-ladders. \nThe study of Laâ Srâ â Cuâ â Oâ â comprises a slightly hole-doped chain and an undoped ladder structure where the chain can be modeled by a ferromagnetic nearest and an \nantiferromagnetic next-nearest neighbor coupling. The hole effects are apparent in gaps in the dispersion relation and can be described by a charge-density wave agreeing with the commensuration of the dispersion. Investigating the undoped ladder establishes \nthe exchange constants including a cyclic exchange manifested by the two-magnon \ncontinuum and the suppression of the S = 1 bound mode. An orbital consideration \nprovides an explanation for the exchanges including the different sizes of rung and \nleg coupling. The excitation spectrum of the doped ladder in Caâ .â Srâ â .â Cuâ â Oâ â can be \ndescribed by a direct comparison with the undoped ladder and the differences consisting \nof a higher energy mode and subgap scattering can be successfully modeled by the charge spectrum of the ladder calculated from the free electron model. The second part of the thesis investigates the alternating chain material Cu(NOâ )â · 2.5D2O and establishes the gapped one-magnon dispersion, the two-magnon continuum and for the first time the S =1 bound mode. Applying magnetic field drives the system through two critical field transitions, condensation of magnons into the ground state and saturation. The modes beyond saturation can be modeled by spin wave theory and the excitations at the first critical field follow Luttinger Liquid behavior. Additionally investigated are the temperature effects with the excitations being of a different nature but containing the signature of a strong correlated system. For an outlook the measurements including temperature and field are provided with further theoretical descriptions necessary.
We investigate weakly coupled spin-1/21/21/2 ladders in a magnetic field. The work is motivated by recent experiments on the compound (CH12N)CuBr4{(}_{\mathrm{C}}{\mathrm{H}}_{12}{\mathrm{N}}_{)}{\mathrm{CuBr}}_{4}(C​H12​N)​CuBr4​ (BPCB). We use a combination of numerical and analytical methods, in particular, the density-matrix renormalization group (DMRG) technique, to explore the phase diagram and the excitation spectra of such a system. We give detailed results on the temperature dependence of the magnetization and the specific heat, and the magnetic-field dependence of the nuclear-magnetic-resonance relaxation rate of single ladders. For coupled ladders, treating the weak interladder coupling within a mean-field or quantum Monte Carlo approach, we compute the transition temperature of triplet condensation and its corresponding antiferromagnetic order parameter. Existing experimental measurements are discussed and compared to our theoretical results. Furthermore, we compute, using time-dependent DMRG, the dynamical correlations of a single spin ladder. Our results allow to describe directly the inelastic neutron scattering cross section up to high energies. We focus on the evolution of the spectra with the magnetic field and compare their behavior for different couplings. The characteristic features of the spectra are interpreted using different analytical approaches such as the mapping onto a spin chain, a Luttinger liquid or onto a ttt-JJJ model. For values of parameters for which such measurements exist, we compare our results to inelastic neutron scattering experiments on the compound BPCB and find excellent agreement. We make additional predictions for the high-energy part of the spectrum that are potentially testable in future experiments.
In this, and the following paper, we present the results of a detailed experimental investigation into the spin dynamics of the quasi-one-dimensional S=1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet KCuF3{\mathrm{KCuF}}_{3}KCuF3​. In this paper we report results of inelastic neutron-scattering measurements made using the MARI time-of-flight spectrometer at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. Measurement of the magnetic excitation spectrum was made in both the low-temperature phase, where the chains are ordered together, and in the high-temperature phase, where the correlations between chains become unimportant. We compare our measurements with the M\"uller ansatz, which is identified with a two-spinon cross section, and find excellent agreement with this. The effect of temperature on the excitation continuum was also investigated. A series of measurements were made at temperatures ranging from 20 to 200 K. These results are compared to the predictions of field theory for the one-dimensional Heisenberg chain. Again good agreement is found with the theoretical predictions. In the following paper measurements of the low-energy scattering in the ordered phase, made on a triple-axis spectrometer, are presented.
Many phenomena in magnetism can be described using classical models, yet magnetism is a quantum mechanical effect. In addition to thermal fluctuations, quantum fluctuations arise due to the quantum uncertainty of the ground state. These fluctuations are enhanced by low dimensionality and low spin. Spin chains show interesting excitations associated with quasiparticles. Model materials for spin chains can be realized in compounds where the interchain interactions are weak enough. This thesis presents neutron scattering studies of two model materials for spin chains with different spin symmetry. The spin2 Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain CuSO4*5D2O has a main exchange of J ∼ 3 K, which permits to study its excitation spectrum up to temperatures of ten times the exchange. The spin2 Heisenberg magnet has been studied widely both theoretically and experimentally. The excitation spectrum of the spin2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet consists of quasiparticles called spinons, and calculations for it exist for T = 0 and as a function of temperature. A quantitative comparison between experimental data and theoretical models across a range of temperatures is presented. The excitation spectrum of CuSO4*5D2O is excellently described by the excitation spectrum of a spin2 Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain at finite temperatures. Energy-temperature scaling is observed at temperatures up to 2J . For these temperatures the Luttinger liquid description of the spin2 Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain is valid. A spinon continuum is confirmed at all measured temperatures. Therefore, even at ten times the main exchange (T ≈ 10 J), CuSO4*5D2O shows the behavior of a quantum magnet, and not of a classical system at infinite temperatures, for which one would expect single spin flips. The Ising chain is one of the most studied models in magnetism, one model compound for it is RbCoCl3. Optical spectroscopy measurements suggest a lower gap than for similar compounds, which makes it better suited for high resolution neutron spectroscopy. Magnetic correlations along the chains arise in RbCoCl3 below 80 K. A gapped continuum is observed, which arises from isolated antiferromagnetic Ising chains. Below the first magnetic ordering temperature TN1 ≈ 28 K bound states are observed, which arise due to correlations which form between the chains. Strong diffuse scattering leads to the conclusion that disorder is still present. At the second magnetic ordering transition, at TN2 ≈ 14 K, the bound states split as the correlations between the chains change. Fits indicate that the correlations change continuously as a function of temperature. Above TN2 the excitation spectrum of RbCoCl3 can be described by a spin1 2 Ising chain with an XY-component which is treated as a perturbation. Below TN2 the main features are reproduced correctly, but deviations from the details indicate that additional terms in the Hamiltonian may be necessary. This thesis was carried out at the Institut Laue-Langevin, the Laboratory for Neutron Scattering and Imaging at the Paul Scherrer Institute and ETH Zurich.