Zero-Field Incommensurate Spin-Peierls Phase with Interchain Frustration in TiOCl

R. Rückamp, J. Baier, M. Kriener, M. W. Haverkort, T. Lorenz, G. S. Uhrig, L. Jongen, A. Möller, G. Meyer, and M. Grüninger
Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 097203 – Published 26 August 2005

Abstract

We report on the magnetic, thermodynamic, and optical properties of the quasi-one-dimensional quantum antiferromagnets TiOCl and TiOBr, which have been discussed as spin-Peierls compounds. The observed deviations from canonical spin-Peierls behavior, e.g., the existence of two distinct phase transitions, have been attributed previously to strong orbital fluctuations. This can be ruled out by our optical data of the orbital excitations. We show that the frustration of the interchain interactions in the bilayer structure gives rise to incommensurate order with a subsequent lock-in transition to a commensurate dimerized state. In this way, a single driving force, the spin-Peierls mechanism, induces two separate transitions.

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  • Received 17 March 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.097203

©2005 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

R. Rückamp1, J. Baier1, M. Kriener1, M. W. Haverkort1, T. Lorenz1, G. S. Uhrig2, L. Jongen3, A. Möller3, G. Meyer3, and M. Grüninger4

  • 1II. Physikalisches Institut, Universität zu Köln, 50937 Köln, Germany
  • 2Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität zu Köln, 50937 Köln, Germany
  • 3Institut für Anorganische Chemie, Universität zu Köln, 50937 Köln, Germany
  • 42. Physikalisches Institut A, RWTH Aachen, 52056 Aachen, Germany

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Issue

Vol. 95, Iss. 9 — 26 August 2005

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