Anharmonic magnon excitations in noncollinear and charge-ordered RbFe${}^{2+}$Fe${}^{3+}$F${}_6$

Abstract

RbFe${}^{2+}$Fe${}^{3+}$F${}_6$ is an example of a charge ordered antiferromagnet where iron sites, with differing valences, are structurally separated into two interpenetrating sublattices. The low temperature magnetically ordered Fe${}^{2+}$ ($S$=2) and Fe${}^{3+}$ ($S$=5/2) moments form a noncollinear orthogonal structure with the Fe${}^{3+}$ site displaying a reduced static ordered moment. Neutron spectroscopy on single crystals finds two distinct spin wave branches with a dominant coupling along the Fe${}^{3+}$ chain axis ($b$-axis). High resolution spectroscopic measurements find an intense energy and momentum broadened magnetic band of scattering bracketing a momentum-energy region where two magnon processes are kinematically allowed. These anharmonic excitations are enhanced in this non collinear magnet owing to the orthogonal spin arrangement.