Magnetic Properties of One-Dimensional Quantum Spin System Rb2Cu2Mo3O12 Studied by Muon Spin Relaxation

TL;DR

This study uses muon spin relaxation to confirm a nonmagnetic spin-singlet ground state in the one-dimensional quantum spin system Rb2Cu2Mo3O12, revealing subtle magnetic fluctuations and potential electric polarization effects.

Contribution

First direct muSR evidence of a nonmagnetic spin-singlet ground state in Rb2Cu2Mo3O12, linking magnetic properties with incommensurate spin correlations and electric polarization.

Findings

Confirmed nonmagnetic ground state via muSR

Observed slight internal field enhancement below 7 K

Detected fast spin fluctuations related to singlet formation

Abstract

Magnetic properties of a one-dimensional frustrated quantum spin system Rb2Cu2Mo3O12 is investigated by the muon spin relaxation (muSR) technique. Although this system shows an incommensurate spin correlation in neutron scattering, it has not yet been determined whether the ground state reaches to a nonmagnetic spin-singlet state or not. In this study, our zero-field (ZF) muSR result undoubtedly reveals a nonmagnetic ground state, which establishes formation of the nonmagnetic incommensurate spin-singlet state in combination of the previous neutron scattering study. Furthermore, we found that the internal field is slightly enhanced below ~7 K. This temperature dependence resembles that of electric polarization under the magnetic field reported recently, indicating a possibility that a small change occurs even under ZF. In longitudinal-field measurements, a fast fluctuation around a narrowing region is observed. This relaxation is expected to reflect characteristics of formation of the spin-singlet state.