Dynamics of the Distorted Diamond Chain

Abstract

We present results on the dynamics of the distorted diamond chain, S=1/2 dimers alternating with single spins 1/2 and exchange couplings $J_1$ and $J_3$ in between. The dynamics in the spin fluid (SF) and tetramer-dimer (TD) phases is investigated numerically by exact diagonalisation for up to 24 spins. Representative excitation spectra are presented, both for zero magnetic field and in the 1/3 plateau phase and the relevant parameters are determined across the phase diagram. The behavior across the SF-TD phase transition line is discussed for the specific heat and for excitation spectra. The relevance of the distorted diamond chain model for the material Cu${}_3$(CO${}_3$)${}_2$(OH)${}_2$ (azurite) is discussed with particular emphasis on inelastic neutron scattering experiments, a recent suggestion of one possibly ferromagnetic coupling constant is not confirmed.

24 pages, 8 figures

References in corpus (3)

• Nature of the spin dynamics and 1/3 magnetization plateau in azurite
• Magnetism and Thermodynamics of Spin-1/2 Heisenberg Diamond Chains in a Magnetic Field
• One-dimensional spin pyrochlore lattice: exact ground state and elementary excitations

Cited by in corpus (3)

• Singlet-triplet dispersion reveals additional frustration in the triangular dimer compound Ba${}_3$Mn${}_2$O${}_8$
• Spin Configuration in the 1/3 Magnetization Plateau of Azurite Determined by NMR
• Diamond chains with multiple-spin exchange interactions