Evidence for incommensurate spin fluctuations in Sr_2RuO_4

TL;DR

This study provides direct experimental evidence of incommensurate spin fluctuations in Sr_2RuO_4, supporting theoretical predictions about its magnetic response related to Fermi surface nesting.

Contribution

First inelastic neutron scattering measurements revealing incommensurate magnetic spin fluctuations in Sr_2RuO_4, confirming theoretical predictions.

Findings

Incommensurate magnetic fluctuations at q_0=(±0.6π/a, ±0.6π/a, 0)

Confirmation of band structure calculations predicting magnetic responses

Supports the role of Fermi surface nesting in magnetic properties

Abstract

We report first inelastic neutron scattering measurements in the normal state of Sr_2RuO_4 that reveal the existence of incommensurate magnetic spin fluctuations located at ${\bf q}_0=(\pm 0.6\pi/a, \pm 0.6\pi/a, 0)$. This finding confirms recent band structure calculations that have predicted incommensurate magnetic responses related to dynamical nesting properties of its Fermi surface.