Three Dimensional Spin Web: A New Magnetic Lattice in Cu3TeO6
arXiv:cond-mat/0507684 · doi:10.1088/0953-8984/17/48/017
Abstract
We report on magnetic properties of cubic compound Cu3TeO6 studied by and susceptibility and neutron powder diffraction for the first time. A novel magnetic lattice, three dimensional spin web, composed of almost planar regular hexagons of Cu2+, S =1/2 spins, defines the properties of Cu3TeO6. The behavior of the magnetic susceptibility in the paramagnetic state at approximately 170 K is suggestive for a competition between local anisotropies of Cu2+ hexagons. The resulting frustration is weaker than the antiferromagnetic nearest-neighbor interaction which leads to a collinear (or slightly canted) spin arrangement (k=0,0,0) and formation of magnetic domains below TN=61 K.
Submitted to PRL