Abstract
This Letter examines the relation between the spin-wave instabilities of collinear magnetic phases and the resulting noncollinear phases for a geometrically frustrated triangular-lattice antiferromagnet in the high-spin limit. Using a combination of phenomenological and Monte Carlo techniques, we demonstrate that the instability wave vector with the strongest intensity in the collinear phase determines the wave vector of a cycloid or the dominant elastic peak of a more complex noncollinear phase. Our results are related to the observed multiferroic phase of Al-doped CuFeO2.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 237204 |
Journal | Physical Review Letters |
Volume | 102 |
Issue number | 23 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 12 2009 |