BiCu$_2$VO$_6$: a new narrow-band spin-gap material

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery and characterization of BiCu$_2$VO$_6$, a new narrow-band spin-gap material with a singlet ground state, a finite spin gap, and a complex spin excitation spectrum, suggesting a possible weakly-interacting spin-cluster system.

Contribution

The study introduces BiCu$_2$VO$_6$ as a novel spin-ladder material with unique magnetic properties and detailed experimental analysis of its spin excitation spectrum.

Findings

Confirmed singlet ground state and finite spin gap

Observed triple narrow band structure in spin excitation spectrum

Discussed potential weakly-interacting spin-cluster system

Abstract

A new spin-ladder family material BiCu$_2$VO$_6$ is studied by means of the magnetic susceptibility, heat capacity and neutron inelastic scattering measurements on powder sample. Singlet ground state and a finite spin gap are confirmed by thermal-activated type susceptibility and by distinct peak at 16 meV in spin excitation. Triple narrow band structure in spin excitation spectrum, probably due to complex crystal structure, is observed and the possibility of weakly-interacting spin-cluster system is discussed.