Strong decoupling between magnetic subsystems in the low-dimensional spin-1/2 antiferromagnet SeCuO3

Nikolina Novosel (1) , William Lafargue-Dit-Hauret (2) , Zeljko Rapljenovic (1) , Martina Dragicevic (1) , Helmuth Berger (3) , Dominik Cincic (4) , Xavier Rocquefelte (2) , Mirta Herak (1)

1 Institut of Physics, Bijenicka, Zagreb
2 ISCR - Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes
3 EPFL - Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
4 University of Zagreb

The search for and understanding of low-dimensional magnetic materials is essential for both fundamental and technological purposes. Here we propose a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of such a system, namely the monoclinic phase of SeCuO3. This low-dimensional spin-1/2 antiferromagnet appears to be based on two decoupled magnetic subsystems which respond differently to applied magnetic field in the antiferromagnetic phase. From our results we are able to propose a zero-field magnetic structure as well as a more exotic finite magnetic field structure, to be tested by future experiments. This finding is based on torque magnetometry measurements on the one side, and the use of a refined phenomenological model and state-of-the-art density functional theory calculations on the other. The existence of such systems opens a way to very exciting physics with the possibility to control separately two magnetic subsystems in one material.

Domains: Chemical Sciences; Chemical Sciences; Material chemistry; Physics [physics]

Nikolina Novosel, William Lafargue-Dit-Hauret, Zeljko Rapljenovic, Martina Dragicevic, Helmuth Berger, et al.. Strong decoupling between magnetic subsystems in the low-dimensional spin-1/2 antiferromagnet SeCuO3. Physical Review B, 2019, 99 (1), pp.014434. ⟨10.1103/PhysRevB.99.014434⟩. ⟨hal-02049512⟩