Molecular spin-liquid state in the spin-32 frustrated spinel HgCr 2O4

K. Tomiyasu, H. Ueda, M. Matsuda, M. Yokoyama, K. Iwasa, K. Yamada

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12 Scopus citations

Abstract

A hexamer-type spin excitation seen in spinel chromates ACr 2O4 (A=Mg, Zn, or Cd) is the representative spin-liquid-like state caused by geometrical frustration. To clarify an origin of the state, we comparatively studied spin excitations in an isomorphic material HgCr2O4 by inelastic neutron scattering and observed a different molecular-type excitation. Numerical analyses performed using model Hamiltonians suggest that these two types of spin excitations originate from a spin-3/2 molecular singlet hidden in a magnetically ordered phase. The difference between the molecular types is explained by the difference in the kind of exchange interactions occurring in the chromates.

Original languageEnglish
Article number035115
JournalPhysical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Volume84
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 11 2011

Funding

FundersFunder number
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science21224008, 22740209, 23102703, 22014001, 22244039, 20102005

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