No Arabic abstract
NiNb$_{2}$O$_{6}$ is an almost ideal realization of a 1D spin-1 ferromagnetic Heisenberg chain compound with weak unidirectional anisotropy. Using time-domain THz spectroscopy, we measure the low-energy electrodynamic response of NiNb$_{2}$O$_{6}$ as a function of temperature and external magnetic field. At low temperatures, we find a magnon-like spin-excitation, which corresponds to the lowest energy excitation at $qsim0$. At higher temperatures, we unexpectedly observe a temperature-dependent renormalization of the spin-excitation energy, which has a strong dependence on field direction. Using theoretical arguments, exact diagonalizations and finite temperature dynamical Lanczos calculations, we construct a picture of magnon-magnon interactions that naturally explains the observed renormalization. This unique scenario is a consequence of the spin-1 nature and has no analog in the more widely studied spin-1/2 systems.
Quasiparticles are physically motivated mathematical constructs for simplifying the seemingly complicated many-body description of solids. A complete understanding of their dynamics and the nature of the effective interactions between them provides rich information on real material properties at the microscopic level. In this work, we explore the dynamics and interactions of magnon quasiparticles in a ferromagnetic spin-1 Heisenberg chain with easy-axis onsite anisotropy, a model relevant for the explanation of recent terahertz optics experiments on NiNb$_2$O$_6$ [P. Chauhan et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 124, 037203 (2020)], and nonequilibrium dynamics in ultra cold atomic settings [W.C. Chung et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 163203 (2021)]. We build a picture for the properties of clouds of few magnons with the help of exact diagonalization and density matrix renormalization group calculations supported by physically motivated Jastrow wavefunctions. We show how the binding energy of magnons effectively reduces with their number and explain how this energy scale is of direct relevance for dynamical magnetic susceptibility measurements. This understanding is used to make predictions for ultra cold-atomic platforms which are ideally suited to study the thermalization of multimagnon states. We simulate the non-equilibrium dynamics of these chains using the matrix product state based time-evolution block decimation algorithm and explore the dependence of revivals and thermalization on magnon density and easy-axis onsite anisotropy (which controls the strength of effective magnon interactions). We observe behaviors akin to those reported for many-body quantum scars which we explain with an analytic approximation that is accurate in the limit of small anisotropy.
We demonstrate a new approach for directly measuring the ultrafast energy transfer between elec- trons and magnons, enabling us to track spin dynamics in an antiferromagnet (AFM). In multiferroic HoMnO3, optical photoexcitation creates hot electrons, after which changes in the spin order are probed with a THz pulse tuned to a magnon resonance. This reveals a photoinduced transparency, which builds up over several picoseconds as the spins heat up due to energy transfer from hot elec- trons via phonons. This spin-lattice thermalization time is ?10 times faster than that of typical ferromagnetic (FM) manganites. We qualitatively explain the fundamental differences in spin-lattice thermalization between FM and AFM systems and apply a Boltzmann equation model for treating AFMs. Our work gives new insight into spin-lattice thermalization in AFMs and demonstrates a new approach for directly monitoring the ultrafast dynamics of spin order in these systems.
Ac and dc magnetization and heat-capacity (C) measurements performed on the pseudo-one-dimensional compound Sr$_3$CuIrO$_6$ reveal a competition between antiferromagnetic (AF) and ferromagnetic (F) exchange couplings, as evidenced by frequency dependence of ac susceptibility and by the absence of a C anomaly at the magnetic transition. The value of the saturation moment (about 0.35 $mu_B$/formula unit) is much smaller than expected for ferromagnetism from the two S=1/2 ions (Cu and Ir). Thus, this compound is not a ferromagnet in zero magnetic field, in contrast to earlier beliefs. Of particular importance is the finding that the value of the magnetic ordering temperature is sample dependent, sensitive to synthetic conditions resulting from deviations in oxygen/Cu content. We propose that this compound serves as a unique model system to test theories on random AF-F interaction in a chain system, considering that this competition can be tuned without any chemical substitution.
We explain how spinons and magnons naturally arise in $mathrm{SU}(2)$ invariant spin chains when describing ground states and elementary excitations using MPS. Within this description, spinons can emerge in a spin-1 chain at a first-order transition between a symmetry-protected topological phase and a trivial phase. We provide MPS simulations for the spinon dispersion relations in a frustrated and dimerized spin-1 chain, and show that these spinons determine the low-lying spectrum in the vicinity of this transition by the formation of spinon/anti-spinon bound states.
We present a model compound for the $S$=1/2 ferromagnetic Heisenberg chain composed of the verdazyl-based complex $[$Zn(hfac)$_2]$$[$4-Cl-$o$-Py-V-(4-F)$_2]$. $Ab$ $initio$ MO calculations indicate a predominant ferromagnetic interaction forming an $S$=1/2 ferromagnetic chain. The magnetic susceptibility and specific heat indicate a phase transition to an AF order owing to the finite interchain couplings. We explain the magnetic susceptibility and magnetization curve above the phase transition temperature based on the $S$=1/2 ferromagnetic Heisenberg chain. The magnetization curve in the ordered phase is described by a conventional AF two-sublattice model. Furthermore, the obtained magnetic specific heat reproduces the almost temperature-independent behavior of the $S$=1/2 ferromagnetic Heisenberg chain. In the low-temperature region, the magnetic specific heat exhibits $sqrt{T}$ dependence, which is attributed to the energy dispersion in the ferromagnetic chain.