Molecular quantum magnetism in LiZn2Mo3O8

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2014 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.112.027202· OSTI ID:1117470

Mourigal, Martin ^[1]; Fuhrman, W. T. ^[1]; Sheckelton, J. P. ^[1]; Wartelle, A. ^[1]; Rodriguez-Rivera, J A ^[2]; Abernathy, Douglas L ^[3]; McQueen, T. M. ^[1]; Broholm, Collin L ^[3]

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1. Johns Hopkins University
2. NCNR and University of Maryland
3. ORNL

Inelastic neutron scattering for temperatures below 30 K from a powder of LiZn2Mo3O8 demonstrates this triangular-lattice antiferromagnet hosts collective magnetic excitations from spin 1/2 Mo3O13 molecules. Apparently gapless ( \Delta < 0.2 meV) and extending at least up to 2.5 meV, the low energy magnetic scattering cross section is surprisingly broad in momentum space and involves one third of the spins present above 100 K. The data are compatible with the presence of valencebonds involving nearest-neighbor and next-nearest-neighbor spins forming a disordered or dynamic state.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Spallation Neutron Source (SNS)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1117470
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 112, Issue 2; ISSN 0031--9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English