Abstract
We report an inelastic neutron scattering study of the spin fluctuations in the nearly ferromagnetic element palladium. Dispersive over-damped collective magnetic excitations or “paramagnons” are observed up to 128 meV. We analyze our results in terms of a Moriya-Lonzarich–type spin-fluctuation model and estimate the contribution of the spin fluctuations to the low-temperature heat capacity. In spite of the paramagnon excitations being relatively strong, their relaxation rates are large. This leads to a small contribution to the low-temperature electronic specific heat.
- Received 20 May 2010
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.027207
©2010 American Physical Society