arXiv subjects

A. Zheludev

Publications and source records attributed to A. Zheludev.

161 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

arXiv2000

Quantum and classical dynamics in complex one-dimensional antiferromagnets

Of great recent interest in condensed matter physics are phenomena of coexistence of quantum and classical properties in the same material. Such duality occurs in certain mixed-spin antiferromagnets composed of quantum spin chains interacting through ``auxiliary'' magnetic ions. In this category are linear-chain rare earth nickelates that exhibit a seemingly paradoxical co-existence of long-range magnetic order and one-dimensional gapped quantum spin excitations at low temperatures. In the present paper we propose a unified physical description of these compounds, supported by recent neutron diffraction and inelastic scattering studies. Our basic concept is the effective separation between low-frequency classical and high-frequency quantum spin correlations. This interpretation enables experimental measurements of some previously inaccessible fundamental properties of quantum spin chains, and predicts new exotic magnetic excitations and mechanisms of long-range ordering in complex quantum magnets.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2000

Haldane-gap excitations in the low-H_c 1-dimensional quantum antiferromagnet NDMAP

Inelastic neutron scattering on deuterated single-crystal samples is used to study Haldane-gap excitations in the new S=1 one-dimensional quantum antiferromagnet NDMAP, that was recently recognized as an ideal model system for high-field studies. The Haldane gap energies $Δ_x=0.42$ meV, $Δ_y=0.52$ meV and $Δ_z=1.86$ meV, for excitations polarized along the a, b, and c crystallographic axes, respectively, are directly measured. The dispersion perpendicular to the chain axis c is studied, and extremely weak inter-chain coupling constants $J_y=1.8\cdot 10^{-3}$ meV and $J_x=3.5\cdot 10^{-4}$ meV, along the a and b axes, respectively, are determined. The results are discussed in the context of future experiments in high magnetic fields.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2000

Magnetic excitations in coupled Haldane spin chains near the quantum critical point

Two quasi-1-dimensional S=1 quantum antiferromagnetic materials, PbNi2V2O8 and SrNi2V2O8, are studied by inelastic neutron scattering on powder samples. While magnetic interactions in the two systems are found to be very similar, subtle differences in inter-chain interaction strengths and magnetic anisotropy are detected. The latter are shown to be responsible for qualitatively different ground state properties: magnetic long-range order in SrNi2V2O8 and disordered ``spin liquid'' Haldane-gap state in PbNi2V2O8.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv1999

The role of single-ion excitations in the mixed-spin quasi-1-dimensional quantum antiferromagnet Nd_2BaNiO_5

Inelastic neutron scattering experiments on Nd2BaNiO5 single-crystals and powder samples are used to study the dynamic coupling of 1-dimensional Haldane-gap excitations in the S=1 Ni2+ -chains to local crystal-field transitions, associated with the rare earth ions. Substantial interference between the two types of excitations is observed even in the 1-dimensional paramagnetic phase. Despite that, the results provide solid justification for the previously proposed ``static staggered field'' model for R2BaNiO5 nickelates. The observed behaviour is qualitatively explained by a simple chain-Random-Phase-Approximation (chain-RPA) model.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv1999

Spin-Vacancy-Induced Long-Range Order in a New Haldane-Gap Antiferromagnet

Magnetic susceptibility, high-field magnetization and inelastic neutron scattering experiments are used to study the magnetic properties of a new S=1 quasi-1-dimensional antiferromagnet PbNi2V2O8. Inter-chain interactions are shown to be almost, but not quite, strong enough to destroy the nonmagnetic singlet ground state and the energy gap in the magnetic excitation spectrum. Substituting nonmagnetic Mg$^{2+}$ (S=0) ions for Ni$^{2+}$ (S=1) induces a magnetically ordered state at low temperatures. To our knowledge this is the first observation of doping-induced long-range order in a Haldane-gap system.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv1999

BaCu_2Si_2O_7: a new quasi 1-dimensional S = 1/2 antiferromagnetic chain system

The new antiferromagnetic (AF) compound BaCu_2Si_2O_7 is studied by magnetic susceptibility and neutron scattering techniques. The observed behavior is dominated by the presence of loosely coupled S=1/2 chains with the intrachain AF exchange constant J = 24.1 meV. Long-range Neel ordering is observed below Tn = 9.2 K. The results are discussed within the framework of the Mean Field-RPA model for weakly interacting quantum spin chains.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv1998

Polarized-neutron study of longitudinal Haldane-gap excitations in Nd$_2$BaNiO$_5$

Polarized and unpolarized inelastic neutron scattering is used to study Haldane-gap excitations in the mixed-spin linear-chain antiferromagnet Nd2BaNiO5. The longitudinal mode, polarized along the direction of ordered moments, is observed for the first time. The model of isolated Haldane chains in a static staggered exchange field, that is known to work very well for static properties and transverse spin excitations in R2BaNiO5 compounds, fails to explain new results for the longitudinal spin gap.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv1998

Magnetic anisotropy and low-energy spin waves in the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya spiral magnet Ba_2 Cu Ge_2 O_7

New neutron diffraction and inelastic scattering experiments are used to investigate in detail the field dependence of the magnetic structure and low-energy spin wave spectrum of the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya helimagnet Ba_2 Cu Ge_2 O_7. The results suggest that the previously proposed model for the magnetism of this compound (an ideal sinusoidal spin spiral, stabilized by isotropic exchange and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions) needs to be refined. Both new and previously published data can be quantitatively explained by taking into account the Kaplan-Shekhtman-Entin-Wohlman-Aharony (KSEA) term, a special magnetic anisotropy term that was predicted to always accompany Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions in insulators.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv1998

Experimental evidence for Shekhtman-Entin-Wohlman-Aharony (SEA) interactions in Ba2CuGe2O7

New neutron diffraction and inelastic neutron scattering experiments on Ba2CuGe2O7 suggest that the previously suggested model for the magnetism of this material (an ideal sinusoidal spin spiral, stabilized by isotropic exchange and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions) needs to be refined. Both new and previously published experimental results can be quantitatively explained by taking into account the Shekhtman-Entin-Wohlman-Aharony (SEA) term, a special anisotropy term that was predicted to always accompany Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions in insulators. Our experimental results present the first clear evidence to that SEA interactions can lead to substantial observable effects in a real magnetic system.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv1998

Magnetic ordering, spin waves, and Haldane gap excitations in (Nd_x Y_{1-x})_2 Ba Ni O_5 linear-chain mixed-spin antiferromagnets

Linear-chain nickelates with the composition (Nd_x Y_{1-x})_2 Ba Ni O_5 (x=1, x=0.75, x=0.5, and x=0.25) are studied in a series of neutron scattering experiments. Powder diffraction is used to determine the temperature dependence of the magnetic structure in all four systems. Single-crystal inelastic neutron scattering is employed to investigate the temperature dependence of the Haldane-gap excitations and low-energy spin waves in the x=1 compound Nd_2 Ba Ni O_5. The results of these experiments are discussed in the context of the ``Haldane chain in a staggered field'' model for R_2 Ba Ni O_5 systems, and quantitative agreement with theory is obtained.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv1998

An experimental measurement of the staggered magnetization curve for a Haldane spin chain

Long-range magnetic ordering in R_2 Ba Ni O_5 (R=magnetic rare earth) quasi-1-dimensional mixed-spin antiferromagnets is described by a simple mean-field model that is based on the intrinsic staggered magnetization function of isolated Haldane spin chains for the Ni-subsystem, and single-ion magnetization functions for the rare earth ions. The model is applied to new experimental results obtained in powder diffraction experiments on Nd_2 Ba Ni O_5 and Nd Y Ba Ni O_5, and to previously published diffraction data for Er_2 Ba Ni O_5. From this analysis we extract the bare staggered magnetization curve for Haldane spin chains in these compounds.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv1997

Coexistence of Haldane gap excitations and long range antiferromagnetic order in mixed-spin nickelates R_2 Ba Ni O_5

The spin dynamics of the S=1 Ni-chains in mixed-spin antiferromagnets Pr_2 Ba Ni O_5 and Nd_x Y_2-x Ba Ni O_5 is described in terms of a simple Ginzburg-Landau Lagrangian coupled to the sublattice of rare-earth ions. Within this framework we obtain a theoretical explanation for the experimentally observed coexistence of Haldane gap excitations and long-range magnetic order, as well as for the increase of the Haldane gap energy below the Neel point. We also predict that the degeneracy of the Haldane triplet is lifted in the magnetically ordered phase. The theoretical results are consistent with the available experimental data.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv1997

Coexistence of Haldane gap excitations and long-range order in R_2BaNiO_5 ($R$=rare earth)

$R_2BaNiO_5$ ($R=$ rare earth) quasi-1-D antiferromagnets are structurally equivalent to the well-studied 1-D S=1 Haldane-gap compound Y_2BaNiO_5. Unlike the Y-nickelate though, these materials undergo 3-D magnetic ordering at finite temperatures. Recent inelastic neutron scattering studies of Pr_2BaNiO_5 and (Nd_{x}Y_{1-x})_2BaNiO_5 revealed purely 1-dimensional gap excitations that propagate exclusively on the Ni-chains and are strikingly similar to Haldane gap modes in Y_2BaNiO_5. In the ordered phase these excitations survive and actually coexist with conventional spin waves. Below $T_{N}$ the gap energy increases and scales as the square of the ordered moment on the Ni sites. The results suggest that the Haldane singlet ground state of the Ni-chains is not fully destroyed by Néel ordering.

cond-mat↗

arXiv1997

The square-lattice spiral magnet Ba_2CuGe_2O_7 in an in-plane magnetic field

The magnetic structure of Ba_2CuGe_2O_7 is investigated by neutron diffraction in magnetic fields applied along several directions in the $(a,b)$ plane of the crystal. In relatively weak fields, $H\lesssim 0.5$~T, the propagation vector of the spin-spiral rotates to form a finite angle with the field direction. This angle depends on the orientation of $H$ itself. The rotation of the propagation vector is accompanied by a re-orientation of the plane of spin rotation in the spiral. The observed behaviour is well described by a continuous-limit form of a free energy functional that includes exchange and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions, as well as the Zeeman energy and an empirical anisotropy term.

cond-mat↗

arXiv1997

Field-induced incommensurate-to-commensurate transition in Ba_2CuGe_2O_7

We report an observation of a commensurate-incommensurate phase transition in the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya spiral antiferromagnet Ba_2 Cu Ge_2 O_7. The transition is induced by an external magnetic field applied along the c-axis of the tetragonal structure, i. e., in the plane of spin rotation. Bulk magnetic measurements and neutron diffraction experiments show that the transition occurs in a critical field Hc=2.1T. Experimental results for the period of the magnetic structure and magnetization as functions of magnetic field are in quantitative agreement with our exact analytical solution for Dzyaloshinskii's model of commensurate-incommensurate transitions in spiral magnets.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv1997

Field-induced Commensurate-Incommensurate phase transition in a Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya spiral antiferromagnet

We report an observation of a commensurate-incommensurate phase transition in a Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya spiral magnet Ba_2CuGe_2O_7. The transition is induced by applying a magnetic field in the plane of spin rotation. In this experiment we have direct control over the strength of the commensurate potential, while the preferred incommensurate period of the spin system remains unchanged. Experimental results for the period of the soliton lattice and bulk magnetization as a function of external magnetic field are in quantitative agreement with theory.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv1996

Temperature-dependent spin gap and singlet ground state in BaCuSi2O6

Bulk magnetic measurements and inelastic neutron scattering were used to investigate the spin-singlet ground state and magnetic gap excitations in BaCuSi2O6, a quasi-2-dimensional antiferromagnet with a bilayer structure. The results are well described by a model based on weakly interacting antiferromagnetic dimers. A strongly temperature-dependent dispersion in the gap modes was found. We suggest that the observed excitations are analogous to magneto-excitons in light rare-earth compounds, but are an intrinsic property of a simple Heisenberg Hamiltonian for the S=1/2 magnetic bilayer.

cond-mat↗