arXiv subjects

F. Xiao

Publications and source records attributed to F. Xiao.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2014

The magneto-structural relationship in the tetrahedral spin chain oxide CsCoO$_2$

We have investigated the structural and magnetic transitions in CsCoO$_2$ using calorimetric measurements, neutron powder diffraction (NPD), density functional theory (DFT) calculations and muon-spin relaxation ($μ$SR) measurements. CsCoO$_2$ exhibits three-dimensional long-range antiferromagnetic (AFM) order at 424~K, resulting in antiferromagnetic alignment of chains of ferromagnetically ordered Co-Co spin dimers. Although there is no change in magnetic structure around a structural transition at $T^{*}=100$~K, the resulting bifurcation of corner-shared Co--O--Co bond angles causes a weakening of the AFM interaction for one set of bonds along the chains. Consequently, the system undergoes a complex freezing out of relaxation processes on cooling.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

The tunable quantum spin ladder Cu(Qnx)(Cl$_{(1-x)}$Br$_{x}$)$_{2}$

We report magnetic, specific heat and ESR measurements on a series of $S=1/2$ spin ladder compounds Cu(Qnx)(Cl$_{(1-x)}$Br$_{x}$)$_{2}$. Down to $T=2$ K all the observables can be described by the spin ladder model with about 1% of $S=1/2$ impurities in the background, which are present even in a nominally pure Cu(Qnx)Cl$_{2}$ and Cu(Qnx)Br$_{2}$, for the whole range of $0\leq x\leq1$. We extract ladder exchange constants $J_{l}(x)$ and $J_{r}(x)$ as well as the gap value $Δ(x)$ by comparing the experimental data to quantum Monte-Carlo simulations. As the ESR measurements show the $g$-factor of impurities to be precisely equal to $g$-factor of the ladder spins, we suppose the impurities to be the consequence of structural defects resulting in a broken ladder ends.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Controlling magnetic order and quantum disorder in one- and zero-dimensional molecule-based magnets

We investigate the structural and magnetic properties of two molecule-based magnets synthesized from the same starting components. Their different structural motifs promote contrasting exchange pathways and consequently lead to markedly different magnetic ground states. Through examination of their structural and magnetic properties we show that [Cu(pyz)(H$_{2}$O)(gly)$_{2}$](ClO$_{4}$)$_{2}$ may be considered a quasi-one-dimensional quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnet while the related compound [Cu(pyz)(gly)](ClO$_{4}$), which is formed from dimers of antiferromagnetically interacting Cu$^{2+}$ spins, remains disordered down to at least 0.03 K in zero field, but shows a field-temperature phase diagram reminiscent of that seen in materials showing a Bose-Einstein condensation of magnons.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Magnetic transition and spin dynamics in the triangular Heisenberg antiferromagnet $α$-KCrO$_{2}$

We present the results of muon-spin relaxation measurements on the triangular lattice Heisenberg antiferromagnet $α$-KCrO$_{2}$. We observe sharp changes in behaviour at an ordering temperature of $T_{\mathrm{c}}=23$ K, with an additional broad feature in the muon-spin relaxation rate evident at T=13 K, both of which correspond to features in the magnetic contribution to the heat capacity. This behaviour is distinct from both the Li- and Na- containing members of the series. These data may be qualitatively described with the established theoretical predictions for the underlying spin system.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

New constraint on the existence of the mu+-> e+ gamma decay

The analysis of a combined data set, totaling 3.6 \times 10^14 stopped muons on target, in the search for the lepton flavour violating decay mu^+ -> e^+ gamma is presented. The data collected by the MEG experiment at the Paul Scherrer Institut show no excess of events compared to background expectations and yield a new upper limit on the branching ratio of this decay of 5.7 \times 10^-13 (90% confidence level). This represents a four times more stringent limit than the previous world best limit set by MEG.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2013

Evolution of magnetic interactions in a pressure-induced Jahn-Teller driven magnetic dimensionality switch

We present the results of high-field magnetization and muon-spin relaxation measurements on the coordination polymer CuF_2(H_2O)_2(pyrazine) in pressures up to 22.5 kbar. We observe a transition from a quasi-two-dimensional to a quasi-one-dimensional antiferromagnetic phase at 9.1 kbar, driven by a rotation of the Jahn-Teller axis. Long-range antiferromagnetic ordering is seen in both regimes, as well as a phase separation in the critical pressure region. The magnetic dimensionality switching as pressure is increased is accompanied by a halving of the primary magnetic exchange energy J and a fivefold decrease in the ordering temperature T_N. J decreases gradually with pressure in the two-dimensional phase, and then increases in the one-dimensional regime. We relate both effects to the changes in the crystal structure with applied pressure.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

The MEG detector for $μ+\to e+γ$ decay search

The MEG (Mu to Electron Gamma) experiment has been running at the Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI), Switzerland since 2008 to search for the decay \meg\ by using one of the most intense continuous $μ^+$ beams in the world. This paper presents the MEG components: the positron spectrometer, including a thin target, a superconducting magnet, a set of drift chambers for measuring the muon decay vertex and the positron momentum, a timing counter for measuring the positron time, and a liquid xenon detector for measuring the photon energy, position and time. The trigger system, the read-out electronics and the data acquisition system are also presented in detail. The paper is completed with a description of the equipment and techniques developed for the calibration in time and energy and the simulation of the whole apparatus.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2012

Ordering in weakly coupled random singlet spin chains

The influence of bond randomness on long range magnetic ordering in the weakly coupled S = 1/2 antiferromagnetic spin chain materials Cu(py)2(Cl1-xBrx)2 is studied by muon spin rotation and bulk measurements. Disorder is found to have a strong effect on the ordering temperature TN, and an even stronger one on the saturation magnetization m0, but considerably more so in the effectively lower-dimensional Br-rich materials. The observed behavior is attributed to Random Singlet ground states of individual spin chains, but remains in contradiction with chain mean field theory predictions. In this context, we discuss the possibility of a universal distribution of ordered moments in the weakly coupled Random Singlet chains model.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2011

New limit on the lepton-flavour violating decay mu -> e gamma

We present a new result based on an analysis of the data collected by the MEG detector at the Paul Scherrer Institut in 2009 and 2010, in search of the lepton flavour violating decay mu->e gamma. The likelihood analysis of the combined data sample, which corresponds to a total of 1.8 x 10**14 muon decays, gives a 90% C.L. upper limit of 2.4 x 10**-12 on the branching ratio of the mu->e gamma decay, constituting the most stringent limit on the existence of this decay to date.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2010

Spin Dynamics in $S=1/2$ Chains with Next-Nearest-Neighbor Exchange Interactions

Low-energy magnetic excitations in the spin-1/2 chain compound (C$_6$H$_9$N$_2$)CuCl$_3$ [known as (6MAP)CuCl$_3$] are probed by means of tunable-frequency electron spin resonance. Two modes with asymmetric (with respect to the $hν=gμ_B B$ line) frequency-field dependences are resolved, illuminating the striking incompatibility with a simple uniform $S=\frac{1}{2}$ Heisenberg chain model. The unusual ESR spectrum is explained in terms of the recently developed theory for spin-1/2 chains, suggesting the important role of next-nearest-neighbor interactions in this compound. Our conclusion is supported by model calculations for the magnetic susceptibility of (6MAP)CuCl$_3$, revealing a good qualitative agreement with experiment.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

The Two-Dimensional Square-Lattice S=1/2 Antiferromagnet Cu(pz)$_2$(ClO$_4$)$_2$

We present an experimental study of the two-dimensional S=1/2 square-lattice antiferromagnet Cu(pz)$_2$(ClO$_4$)$_2$ (pz denotes pyrazine - $C_4H_4N_2$) using specific heat measurements, neutron diffraction and cold-neutron spectroscopy. The magnetic field dependence of the magnetic ordering temperature was determined from specific heat measurements for fields perpendicular and parallel to the square-lattice planes, showing identical field-temperature phase diagrams. This suggest that spin anisotropies in Cu(pz)$_2$(ClO$_4$)$_2$ are small. The ordered antiferromagnetic structure is a collinear arrangement with the magnetic moments along either the crystallographic b- or c-axis. The estimated ordered magnetic moment at zero field is m_0=0.47(5)mu_B and thus much smaller than the available single-ion magnetic moment. This is evidence for strong quantum fluctuations in the ordered magnetic phase of Cu(pz)$_2$(ClO$_4$)$_2$. Magnetic fields applied perpendicular to the square-lattice planes lead to an increase of the antiferromagnetically ordered moment to m_0=0.93(5)mu_B at mu_0H=13.5T - evidence that magnetic fields quench quantum fluctuations. Neutron spectroscopy reveals the presence of a gapped spin excitations at the antiferromagnetic zone center, and it can be explained with a slightly anisotropic nearest neighbor exchange coupling described by J_1^{xy}=1.563(13)meV and J_1^z=0.9979(2)J_1^{xy}.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

A limit for the mu -> e gamma decay from the MEG experiment

A search for the decay mu -> e gamma, performed at PSI and based on data from the initial three months of operation of the MEG experiment, yields an upper limit on the branching ratio of BR(mu -> e gamma) < 2.8 x 10**-11 (90% C.L.). This corresponds to the measurement of positrons and photons from ~ 10**14 stopped mu-decays by means of a superconducting positron spectrometer and a 900 litre liquid xenon photon detector.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2009

Quantum effects in a weakly-frustrated S=1/2 two-dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnet in an applied magnetic field

We have studied the two-dimensional S=1/2 square-lattice antiferromagnet $Cu(pz)_2(ClO_4)_2$ using inelastic neutron scattering and series expansion calculations. We show that the presence of antiferromagnetic next-nearest neighbor interactions enhances quantum fluctuations associated with resonating valence bonds. Intermediate magnetic fields lead to a selective tuning of resonating valence bonds and a spectacular inversion of the zone-boundary dispersion, providing novel insight into 2D antiferromagnetism in the quantum limit.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2009

2D XY Behavior observed in quasi-2D quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnets

The magnetic properties of a new family of molecular-based quasi-two dimension $S=1/2$ Heisenberg antiferromagnets are reported. Three compounds, ($Cu(pz)_2(ClO_4)_2$, $Cu(pz)_2(BF_4)_2$, and $[Cu(pz)_2(NO_3)](PF_6)$) contain similar planes of Cu$^{2+}$ ions linked into magnetically square lattices by bridging pyrazine molecules (pz = $C_4H_4N_2$). The anions provide charge balance as well as isolation between the layers. Single crystal measurements of susceptibility and magnetization, as well as muon spin relaxation studies, reveal low ratios of Néel temperatures to exchange strengths ($4.25 / 17.5 = 0.243$, $3.80/15.3=0.248$, and $3.05/10.8=0.282$, respectively) while the ratio of the anisotropy fields $H_A$ (kOe) to the saturation field $H_\mathrm{SAT}$ (kOe) are small ($2.6/490 = 5.3\times10^{-3}$, $2.4/430=5.5\times10^{-3}$, and $0.07/300=2.3\times10^{-4}$, respectively), demonstrating close approximations to a 2D Heisenberg model. The susceptibilities of ClO$_4$ and BF$_4$ show evidence of an exchange anisotropy crossover (Heisenberg to $XY$) at low temperatures; their ordering transitions are primarily driven by the $XY$ behavior with the ultimate 3D transition appearing parasitically. The PF$_6$ compound remains Heisenberg-like at all temperatures, with its transition to the Néel state due to the interlayer interactions. Effects of field-induced anisotropy have been observed.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2006

Magnetic order in the S=1/2 two-dimensional molecular antiferromagnet, copper pyrazine perchlorate Cu(Pz)_2(ClO_4)_2

We present an investigation of magnetic ordering in the two-dimensional S=1/2 quantum magnet Cu(Pz)_2(ClO_4)_2 using specific heat and zero field muon-spin relaxation (μ^+SR). The magnetic contribution to the specific heat is consistent with an exchange strength of 17.7(3) K. We find unambiguous evidence for a transition to a state of three-dimensional long range order below a critical temperature T_N=4.21(1) K using μ^+SR even though there is no feature in the specific heat at that temperature. The absence of a specific heat anomaly at T_N is consistent with recent theoretical predictions. The ratio of T_N/J=0.24 corresponds to a ratio of intralayer to interlayer exchange constants of |J'/J|=6.8x10^-4, indicative of excellent two-dimensional isolation. The scaled magnetic specific heat of [Cu(Pz)_2(HF_2)]BF_4, a compound with an analogous structure, is essentially identical to that of Cu(Pz)_2(ClO_4)_2 although both differ slightly from the predicted value for an ideal 2D S=1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet.

cond-mat.str-el↗