Magnetic excitations in the Kagome staircase compounds

TL;DR

This study investigates magnetic excitations in Kagome staircase compounds Co3V2O8 and Ni3V2O8 using inelastic neutron scattering, revealing dispersive spectra with energy gaps and temperature-dependent softening indicative of magnetic frustration.

Contribution

First detailed inelastic neutron scattering analysis of magnetic excitations in Kagome staircase compounds Co3V2O8 and Ni3V2O8, highlighting their frustrated magnetic behavior.

Findings

Dispersive magnetic excitations observed in both compounds.

Presence of energy gaps in low-temperature phases.

Softening of excitations at intermediate temperatures.

Abstract

Inelastic neutron scattering measurements have been performed on single crystal samples of Co3V2O8 and Ni3V2O8. The magnetic system in these compounds is believed to be frustrated, as the magnetic ions Co2+ with S=3/2 and Ni2+ with S=1 adopt a buckled version of the Kagome lattice. Magnetic excitations have been observed in both samples using a time-of-flight neutron spectrometer. The excitation spectrum is dispersive for both samples and has a considerable gap in the low temperature phases, while the intermediate temperature phases are marked by a significant softening of the excitations energy.