arXiv subjects

D. A. Tennant

Publications and source records attributed to D. A. Tennant.

65 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2002

Order to disorder transition in the XY-like quantum magnet Cs2CoCl4 induced by noncommuting applied fields

We explore the effects of noncommuting applied fields on the ground-state ordering of the quasi-one-dimensional spin-1/2 XY-like antiferromagnet Cs2CoCl4 using single-crystal neutron diffraction. In zero field interchain couplings cause long-range order below T_N=217(5) mK with chains ordered antiferromagnetically along their length and moments confined to the (b,c) plane. Magnetic fields applied at an angle to the XY planes are found to initially stabilize the order by promoting a spin-flop phase with an increased perpendicular antiferromagnetic moment. In higher fields the antiferromagnetic order becomes unstable and a transition occurs to a phase with no long-range order in the (b,c) plane, proposed to be a spin liquid phase that arises when the quantum fluctuations induced by the noncommuting field become strong enough to overcome ordering tendencies. Magnetization measurements confirm that saturation occurs at much higher fields and that the proposed spin-liquid state exists in the region 2.10 < H_SL < 2.52 T || a. The observed phase diagram is discussed in terms of known results on XY-like chains in coexisting longitudinal and transverse fields.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2001

Direct Measurement of the Spin Hamiltonian and Observation of Condensation of Magnons in the 2D Frustrated Quantum Magnet Cs2CuCl4

We propose a method for measuring spin Hamiltonians and apply it to the spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet Cs2CuCl4, which shows a 2D fractionalized RVB state at low fields. By applying strong fields we fully align the spin moment of Cs2CuCl4 transforming it into an effective ferromagnet. In this phase the excitations are conventional magnons and their dispersion relation measured using neutron scattering give the exchange couplings directly, which are found to form an anisotropic triangular lattice with small Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya terms. Using the field to control the excitations we observe Bose condensation of magnons into an ordered ground state.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2001

Experimental realization of a 2D fractional quantum spin liquid

The ground-state ordering and dynamics of the two-dimensional (2D) S=1/2 frustrated Heisenberg antiferromagnet Cs_2CuCl_4 is explored using neutron scattering in high magnetic fields. We find that the dynamic correlations show a highly dispersive continuum of excited states, characteristic of the RVB state, arising from pairs of S=1/2 spinons. Quantum renormalization factors for the excitation energies (1.65) and incommensuration (0.56) are large.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2000

Two-magnon states in Cu(NO3)2*2.5D2O using inelastic neutron scattering

We report measurements of the two-magnon states in a dimerized antiferromagnetic chain material, copper nitrate (\QTR{group}{Cu(NO$_{3}$)$_{2}\cdot 2.5$D$_{2}$O}). Using inelastic neutron scattering, we have studied the one- and two-magnon excitation spectra in a large single crystal of this material. We compare this new data with perturbative expansions of the alternating Heisenberg chain and find good agreement with these calculations. The data may also show evidence for the recently proposed S=1 two-magnon bound state (Phys. Rev. B54, R9624 (1996)).

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv1999

A Novel Longitudinal Mode in the Coupled Quantum Chain Compound KCuF3

Inelastic neutron scattering measurements are reported that show a new longitudinal mode in the antiferromagnetically ordered phase of the spin-1/2 quasi-one-dimensional antiferromagnet KCuF3. This mode signals the cross-over from one-dimensional to three-dimensional behavior and indicates a reduction in the ordered spin moment of a spin-1/2 antiferromagnet. The measurements are compared with recent quantum field theory results and are found to be in excellent agreement. A feature of the data not predicted by theory is a damping of the mode by decay processes to the transverse spin-wave branches.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv1998

A Study of the S=1/2 Alternating Chain using Multiprecision Methods

In this paper we present results for the ground state and low-lying excitations of the $S=1/2$ alternating Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain. Our more conventional techniques include perturbation theory about the dimer limit and numerical diagonalization of systems of up to 28 spins. A novel application of multiple precision numerical diagonalization allows us to determine analytical perturbation series to high order; the results found using this approach include ninth-order perturbation series for the ground state energy and one magnon gap, which were previously known only to third order. We also give the fifth-order dispersion relation and third-order exclusive neutron scattering structure factor for one-magnon modes and numerical and analytical binding energies of S=0 and S=1 two-magnon bound states.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv1997

Softening and Broadening of the Zone Boundary Magnons in Pr0.63Sr0.37MnO3

We have studied the spin dynamics in Pr$_{0.63}$Sr$_{0.37}$MnO$_3$ above and below the Curie temperature $T_C=301$ K. Three distinct new features have been observed: a softening of the magnon dispersion at the zone boundary for $T<T_C$, significant broadening of the zone boundary magnons as $T\to T_C$, and no evidence for residual spin-wave like excitations just above $T_C$. The results are inconsistent with double exchange models that have been successfully applied to higher $T_C$ samples, indicating an evolution of the spin system with decreasing $T_C$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

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

The Quasi-1D S=1/2 Antiferromagnet Cs2CuCl4 in a Magnetic Field

Magnetic excitations of the quasi-1D S=1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet (HAF) Cs2CuCl4 have been measured as a function of magnetic field using neutron scattering. For T<0.62 K and B=0 T the weak inter-chain coupling produces 3D incommensurate ordering. Fields greater than Bc =1.66 T, but less than the field (~8 T) required to fully align the spins, are observed to decouple the chains, and the system enters a disordered intermediate-field phase (IFP). The IFP excitations are in agreement with the predictions of Muller et al. for the 1D S=1/2 HAF, and Talstra and Haldane for the related 1/r^2 chain (the Haldane-Shastry model). This behaviour is inconsistent with linear spin-wave theory.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv1997

Excitation Spectrum and Superexchange Pathways in the Spin Dimer VODPO_4 . 1/2 D_2O

Magnetic excitations have been investigated in the spin dimer material VODPO_4 \cdot 1/2 D_2O using inelastic neutron scattering. A dispersionless magnetic mode was observed at an energy of 7.81(4) meV. The wavevector dependence of the scattering intensityfrom this mode is consistent with the excitation of isolated V^{4+} spin dimers with a V-V separation of 4.43(7) Å. This result is unexpected since the V-V pair previously thought to constitute themagnetic dimer has a separation of 3.09 Å. We identify an alternative V-V pair as the likely magnetic dimer, which involves superexchange pathways through a covalently bonded PO_4 group. This surprising result casts doubt on the interpretation of (VO)_2P_2O_7 as a spin ladder.

cond-mat↗

arXiv1997

Magnetic Excitations in the S=1/2 Alternating Chain Compound (VO)_2P_2O_7

Magnetic excitations in an array of (VO)_2P_2O_7 single crystals have been measured using inelastic neutron scattering. Until now, (VO)_2P_2O_7 has been thought of as a two-leg antiferromagnetic Heisenberg spin ladder with chains running in the a-direction. The present results show unequivocally that (VO)_2P_2O_7 is best described as an alternating spin-chain directed along the crystallographic b-direction. In addition to the expected magnon with magnetic zone-center energy gap Δ= 3.1 meV, a second excitation is observed at an energy just below 2Δ. The higher mode may be a triplet two-magnon bound state.

cond-mat↗