Low-energy spin excitations of the frustrated ferromagnetic $J_1$-$J_2$ chain material linarite, PbCuSO$_4$(OH)$_2$, in applied magnetic fields $\mathbf{H} \parallel b$ axis

TL;DR

This study investigates low-energy spin excitations in the frustrated ferromagnetic chain compound linarite under magnetic fields, revealing detailed spin dynamics and effective exchange interactions through neutron scattering and theoretical modeling.

Contribution

It provides the first inelastic neutron scattering measurements of linarite's spin excitations in high magnetic fields and models the exchange interactions including out-of-plane couplings.

Findings

Measured spin excitation spectra in magnetic phases IV, V, and near saturation.

Estimated weak out-of-plane magnetic exchange coupling.

Identified unique spin dynamics in phase V.

Abstract

We report a study of the spin dynamics of the frustrated ferromagnetic $J_1$-$J_2$ chain compound linarite, PbCuSO$_4$(OH)$_2$, in applied magnetic fields up to field polarization. By means of an extreme-environment inelastic neutron scattering experiment, we have measured the low-energy spin excitations of linarite in fields up to 8.8 T for $\mathbf{H} \parallel b$ axis. We have recorded the spin excitation spectra along $h$, $k$ and $l$ for the field-induced magnetic phases IV, V and the field polarized state close to saturation. By employing first-principles calculations, we estimate the leading magnetic exchanges out of the $bc$ plane and model the dispersion relations using linear spin-wave theory. In this way, we find evidence for a (very weak) residual magnetic exchange coupling out of the $bc$ plane. Together with the previously established dominant intrachain couplings $J_1$ and $J_2$ and the interchain coupling $J_3$, we derive an effective set of exchange couplings for a microscopic description of linarite. Further, we find that the peculiar character of phase V manifests itself in the measured spin dynamics.