Abstract
Motivated by predictions of a spin-ice state on the Ising garnet lattice, we have completed neutron-scattering experiments on single crystals of Ho 3Ga5O12. Our results show that although the Ho3+ spins have Ising-type character with an easy-axis anisotropy, the low-temperature ground state has coexisting long-range- and short-range-ordered spins and is therefore not an ice state. Inelastic neutron-scattering measurements reveal the presence of low-lying crystal-field states that develop a softening at the onset of short-range magnetic ordering. We suggest that the specific tuning of the exchange and dipolar interactions, along with the accessibility of these low-lying excitations, conspire to drive the system to a disordered state.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 140406 |
Journal | Physical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics |
Volume | 78 |
Issue number | 14 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 28 2008 |
Externally published | Yes |