Neutron scattering on HoB$_{12}$ - short-range correlations above T$_{N}$

TL;DR

This study uses neutron scattering to reveal short-range magnetic correlations and symmetry reduction in HoB$_{12}$ above its Neel temperature, providing experimental evidence for theoretically predicted behavior in 3D frustrated magnets.

Contribution

It presents the first experimental observation of symmetry reduction and dimer-like correlations in a 3D frustrated antiferromagnet above T$_{N}$.

Findings

Diffuse scattering indicates short-range correlations.

Symmetry reduction from fcc to simple cubic.

Evidence of coupled spin-pairs (dimers) in 3D system.

Abstract

Neutron scattering experiments on frustrated fcc - antiferromagnet HoB$_{12}$ have been performed above T$_{N}$ = 7.4 K. Diffuse scattering patterns indicate that above Neel temperature correlations between neighboring magnetic moments of Ho - ions appear, similar to the appearance of coupled spin-pairs (dimers) in low dimensional magnets. Moreover, the diffuse patterns show a symmetry reduction from fcc to simple cubic. Analogous behavior in 3D systems is not known, although it was predicted by theory. The role of various interactions leading to this behavior is being analyzed and discussed.