Thermal Control of Spin Excitations in the Coupled Ising-Chain Material RbCoCl_{3}.

We have used neutron spectroscopy to investigate the spin dynamics of the quantum (S=1/2) antiferromagnetic Ising chains in RbCoCl_{3}. The structure and magnetic interactions in this material conspire to produce two magnetic phase transitions at low temperatures, presenting an ideal opportunity for thermal control of the chain environment. The high-resolution spectra we measure of two-domain-wall excitations therefore characterize precisely both the continuum response of isolated chains and the "Zeeman-ladder" bound states of chains in three different effective staggered fields in one and the same material. We apply an extended Matsubara formalism to obtain a quantitative description of the entire dataset, Monte Carlo simulations to interpret the magnetic order, and finite-temperature density-matrix renormalization-group calculations to fit the spectral features of all three phases.

Evolution of the Magnetic Excitations in NaOsO_{3} through its Metal-Insulator Transition.

The temperature dependence of the excitation spectrum in NaOsO_{3} through its metal-to-insulator transition (MIT) at 410 K has been investigated using resonant inelastic x-ray scattering at the Os L_{3} edge. High-resolution (ΔE∼56 meV) measurements show that the well-defined, low-energy magnons in the insulating state weaken and dampen upon approaching the metallic state. Concomitantly, a broad continuum of excitations develops which is well described by the magnetic fluctuations of a nearly antiferromagnetic Fermi liquid. By revealing the continuous evolution of the magnetic quasiparticle spectrum as it changes its character from itinerant to localized, our results provide unprecedented insight into the nature of the MIT in NaOsO_{3} [J. G. Vale, S. Calder, C. Donnerer, D. Pincini, Y. G. Shi, Y. Tsujimoto, K. Yamaura, M. M. Sala, J. van den Brink, A. D. Christianson, and D. F. McMorrow, Phys. Rev. B 97, 184429 (2018)PRBMDO2469-995010.1103/PhysRevB.97.184429].

Ultrafast energy- and momentum-resolved dynamics of magnetic correlations in the photo-doped Mott insulator Sr2IrO4.

Measuring how the magnetic correlations evolve in doped Mott insulators has greatly improved our understanding of the pseudogap, non-Fermi liquids and high-temperature superconductivity. Recently, photo-excitation has been used to induce similarly exotic states transiently. However, the lack of available probes of magnetic correlations in the time domain hinders our understanding of these photo-induced states and how they could be controlled. Here, we implement magnetic resonant inelastic X-ray scattering at a free-electron laser to directly determine the magnetic dynamics after photo-doping the Mott insulator Sr2IrO4. We find that the non-equilibrium state, 2 ps after the excitation, exhibits strongly suppressed long-range magnetic order, but hosts photo-carriers that induce strong, non-thermal magnetic correlations. These two-dimensional (2D) in-plane Néel correlations recover within a few picoseconds, whereas the three-dimensional (3D) long-range magnetic order restores on a fluence-dependent timescale of a few hundred picoseconds. The marked difference in these two timescales implies that the dimensionality of magnetic correlations is vital for our understanding of ultrafast magnetic dynamics.

Bound States and Field-Polarized Haldane Modes in a Quantum Spin Ladder.

The challenge of one-dimensional systems is to understand their physics beyond the level of known elementary excitations. By high-resolution neutron spectroscopy in a quantum spin-ladder material, we probe the leading multiparticle excitation by characterizing the two-magnon bound state at zero field. By applying high magnetic fields, we create and select the singlet (longitudinal) and triplet (transverse) excitations of the fully spin-polarized ladder, which have not been observed previously and are close analogs of the modes anticipated in a polarized Haldane chain. Theoretical modeling of the dynamical response demonstrates our complete quantitative understanding of these states.

All-in-all-Out Magnetic Order and Propagating Spin Waves in Sm_{2}Ir_{2}O_{7}.

Using resonant magnetic x-ray scattering we address the unresolved nature of the magnetic ground state and the low-energy effective Hamiltonian of Sm_{2}Ir_{2}O_{7}, a prototypical pyrochlore iridate with a finite temperature metal-insulator transition. Through a combination of elastic and inelastic measurements, we show that the magnetic ground state is an all-in-all-out (AIAO) antiferromagnet. The magnon dispersion indicates significant electronic correlations and can be well described by a minimal Hamiltonian that includes Heisenberg exchange [J=27.3(6) meV] and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions [D=4.9(3) meV], which provides a consistent description of the magnetic order and excitations. In establishing that Sm_{2}Ir_{2}O_{7} has the requisite inversion symmetry preserving AIAO magnetic ground state, our results support the notion that pyrochlore iridates may host correlated Weyl semimetals.

Physical sciences at Diamond: past achievements and future opportunities.

The start of user operation at the Diamond Light Source in January 2007 marks a major milestone for the physical sciences in the UK. The routine delivery to the UK community of ultra-bright X-ray beams from the third-generation source has provided us with capabilities that were available previously only at international sources, and indeed has created some that are unique. Here, a personal view is given of some of the achievements to date, and possible future opportunities outlined.

Resonant x-ray scattering and the j(eff) = 1/2 electronic ground state in iridate perovskites.

The resonant x-ray scattering (magnetic elastic, RXMS, and inelastic, RIXS) of Ir4+ at the L2,3 edges relevant to spin-orbit Mott insulators A(n+1)Ir(n)O(3n+1) (A = Sr, Ba, etc.) are calculated using a single-ion model which treats the spin-orbit and tetragonal crystal-field terms on an equal footing. Both RXMS and RIXS in the spin-flip channel are found to display a nontrivial dependence on the direction of the magnetic moment, µ. Crucially, we show that for µ in the ab plane, RXMS in the cross-polarized channel at the L2 edge is zero irrespective of the tetragonal crystal field; spin-flip RIXS, relevant to measurements of magnons, behaves reciprocally, being zero at L2 when µ is perpendicular to the ab plane. Our results have important implications for the assignment of a j(eff) = 1/2 ground state on the basis of resonant x-ray experiments.

Spin-wave spectrum of the quantum ferromagnet on the pyrochlore lattice Lu2V2O7.

Neutron inelastic scattering has been used to probe the spin dynamics of the quantum (S=1/2) ferromagnet on the pyrochlore lattice Lu(2)V(2)O(7). Well-defined spin waves are observed at all energies and wave vectors, allowing us to determine the parameters of the Hamiltonian of the system. The data are found to be in excellent overall agreement with a minimal model that includes a nearest-neighbor Heisenberg exchange J = 8.22(2) meV and a Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) D = 1.5(1) meV. The large DMI term revealed by our study is broadly consistent with the model originally used to explain the magnon Hall effect in this compound [Onose et al., Science 329, 297 (2010) and Ideue et al., Phys. Rev. B 85, 134411 (2012)]. However, our ratio of D/J = 0.18(1) is roughly half of their value, and is much larger than those found in other theoretical studies [Xiang et al., Phys. Rev. B 83, 174402 (2011) and Mook et al., Phys. Rev. B 89,134409 (2014)].

Robustness of basal-plane antiferromagnetic order and the J(eff)=1/2 state in single-layer iridate spin-orbit Mott insulators.

The magnetic structure and electronic ground state of the layered perovskite Ba(2)IrO(4) have been investigated using x-ray resonant magnetic scattering. Our results are compared with those for Sr(2)IrO(4), for which we provide supplementary data on its magnetic structure. We find that the dominant, long-range antiferromagnetic order is remarkably similar in the two compounds and that the electronic ground state in Ba(2)IrO(4), deduced from an investigation of the x-ray resonant magnetic scattering L(3)/L(2) intensity ratio, is consistent with a J(eff)=1/2 description. The robustness of these two key electronic properties to the considerable structural differences between the Ba and Sr analogues is discussed in terms of the enhanced role of the spin-orbit interaction in 5d transition metal oxides.

Strain control of a bandwidth-driven spin reorientation in Ca3Ru2O7.

The layered-ruthenate family of materials possess an intricate interplay of structural, electronic and magnetic degrees of freedom that yields a plethora of delicately balanced ground states. This is exemplified by Ca3Ru2O7, which hosts a coupled transition in which the lattice parameters jump, the Fermi surface partially gaps and the spins undergo a 90∘ in-plane reorientation. Here, we show how the transition is driven by a lattice strain that tunes the electronic bandwidth. We apply uniaxial stress to single crystals of Ca3Ru2O7, using neutron and resonant x-ray scattering to simultaneously probe the structural and magnetic responses. These measurements demonstrate that the transition can be driven by externally induced strain, stimulating the development of a theoretical model in which an internal strain is generated self-consistently to lower the electronic energy. We understand the strain to act by modifying tilts and rotations of the RuO6 octahedra, which directly influences the nearest-neighbour hopping. Our results offer a blueprint for uncovering the driving force behind coupled phase transitions, as well as a route to controlling them.

Magnetically driven metal-insulator transition in NaOsO3.

The metal-insulator transition (MIT) is one of the most dramatic manifestations of electron correlations in materials. Various mechanisms producing MITs have been extensively considered, including the Mott (electron localization via Coulomb repulsion), Anderson (localization via disorder), and Peierls (localization via distortion of a periodic one-dimensional lattice) mechanisms. One additional route to a MIT proposed by Slater, in which long-range magnetic order in a three dimensional system drives the MIT, has received relatively little attention. Using neutron and x-ray scattering we show that the MIT in NaOsO(3) is coincident with the onset of long-range commensurate three dimensional magnetic order. While candidate materials have been suggested, our experimental methodology allows the first definitive demonstration of the long predicted Slater MIT.

Antiferromagnetically spin polarized oxygen observed in magnetoelectric TbMn2O5.

We report the direct measurement of antiferromagnetic spin polarization at the oxygen sites in the multiferroic TbMn2O5, through resonant soft x-ray magnetic scattering. This supports recent theoretical models suggesting that the oxygen spin polarization is key to the magnetoelectric coupling mechanism. The spin polarization is observed through a resonantly enhanced diffraction signal at the oxygen K edge at the commensurate antiferromagnetic wave vector. Using the fdmnes code we have accurately reproduced the experimental data. We have established that the resonance arises through the spin polarization on the oxygen sites hybridized with the square based pyramid Mn3+ ions. Furthermore we have discovered that the position of the Mn3+ ion directly influences the oxygen spin polarization.

Temperature dependence of the [Formula: see text] anomaly in the excitation spectrum of the 2D quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnet.

It is well established that in the low-temperature limit, the two-dimensional quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnet on a square lattice (2DQHAFSL) exhibits an anomaly in its spectrum at short-wavelengths on the zone-boundary. In the vicinity of the [Formula: see text] point the pole in the one-magnon response exhibits a downward dispersion, is heavily damped and attenuated, giving way to an isotropic continuum of excitations extending to high energies. The origin of the anomaly and the presence of the continuum are of current theoretical interest, with suggestions focused around the idea that the latter evidences the existence of spinons in a two-dimensional system. Here we present the results of neutron inelastic scattering experiments and Quantum Monte Carlo calculations on the metallo-organic compound Cu(DCOO)[Formula: see text]D2O (CFTD), an excellent physical realisation of the 2DQHAFSL, designed to investigate how the anomaly at [Formula: see text] evolves up to finite temperatures [Formula: see text]. Our data reveal that on warming the anomaly survives the loss of long-range, three-dimensional order, and that it is thus a robust feature of the two-dimensional system. With further increase of temperature the zone-boundary response gradually softens and broadens, washing out the [Formula: see text] anomaly. This is confirmed by a comparison of our data with the results of finite-temperature Quantum Monte Carlo simulations where the two are found to be in good accord. In the vicinity of the antiferromagnetic zone centre, there was no significant softening of the magnetic excitations over the range of temperatures investigated.

Nature of the magnetic order and origin of induced ferroelectricity in TbMnO3.

The magnetic structures which endow TbMnO(3) with its multiferroic properties have been reassessed on the basis of a comprehensive soft x-ray resonant scattering (XRS) study. The selectivity of XRS facilitated separation of the various contributions (Mn L(2) edge, Mn 3d moments; Tb M(4) edge, Tb 4f moments), while its variation with azimuth provided information on the moment direction of distinct Fourier components. When the data are combined with a detailed group theory analysis, a new picture emerges of the ferroelectric transition at 28 K. Instead of being driven by the transition from a collinear to a noncollinear magnetic structure, as has previously been supposed, it is shown to occur between two noncollinear structures.

Spins in the vortices of a high-temperature superconductor.

Neutron scattering is used to characterize the magnetism of the vortices for the optimally doped high-temperature superconductor La(2-x)Sr(x)CuO4 (x = 0.163) in an applied magnetic field. As temperature is reduced, low-frequency spin fluctuations first disappear with the loss of vortex mobility, but then reappear. We find that the vortex state can be regarded as an inhomogeneous mixture of a superconducting spin fluid and a material containing a nearly ordered antiferromagnet. These experiments show that as for many other properties of cuprate superconductors, the important underlying microscopic forces are magnetic.

Selective probing of magnetic order on Tb and Ir sites in stuffed Tb2Ir2O7  using resonant x-ray scattering.

We study the magnetic structure of the 'stuffed' (Tb-rich) pyrochlore iridate Tb2+x Ir2-x O7-y  (x ∼ 0.18), using resonant elastic x-ray scattering (REXS). In order to disentangle contributions from Tb and Ir magnetic sublattices, experiments were performed at the Ir L 3 and Tb M 5 edges, which provide selective sensitivity to Ir 5d and Tb 4f  magnetic moments, respectively. At the Ir L 3 edge, we found the onset of long-range [Formula: see text] magnetic order below [Formula: see text] K, consistent with the expected signal of all-in all-out (AIAO) magnetic order. Using a single-ion model to calculate REXS cross-sections, we estimate an ordered magnetic moment of [Formula: see text] at 5 K. At the Tb M 5 edge, long-range [Formula: see text] magnetic order appeared below ∼[Formula: see text] K, also consistent with an AIAO magnetic structure on the Tb site. Additional insight into the magnetism of the Tb sublattice is gleaned from measurements at the M 5 edge in applied magnetic fields up to 6 T, which is found to completely suppress the Tb AIAO magnetic order. In zero applied field, the observed gradual onset of the Tb sublattice magnetisation with temperature suggests that it is induced by the magnetic order on the Ir site. The persistence of AIAO magnetic order, despite the greatly reduced ordering temperature and moment size compared to stoichiometric Tb2Ir2O7, for which [Formula: see text] K and [Formula: see text], indicates that stuffing could be a viable means of tuning the strength of electronic correlations, thereby potentially offering a new strategy to achieve topologically non-trivial band crossings in pyrochlore iridates.

Critical fluctuations in the spin-orbit Mott insulator Sr3Ir2O7.

X-ray magnetic critical scattering measurements and specific heat measurements were performed on the perovskite iridate [Formula: see text]. We find that the magnetic interactions close to the Néel temperature [Formula: see text] are three-dimensional. This contrasts with previous studies which suggest two-dimensional behaviour like Sr2IrO4. Violation of the Harris criterion ([Formula: see text]) means that weak disorder becomes relevant. This leads a rounding of the antiferromagnetic phase transition at [Formula: see text], and modifies the critical exponents relative to the clean system. Specifically, we determine that the critical behaviour of [Formula: see text] is representative of the diluted 3D Ising universality class.

Spin-orbit-driven magnetic structure and excitation in the 5d pyrochlore Cd2Os2O7.

Much consideration has been given to the role of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) in 5d oxides, particularly on the formation of novel electronic states and manifested metal-insulator transitions (MITs). SOC plays a dominant role in 5d(5) iridates (Ir(4+)), undergoing MITs both concurrent (pyrochlores) and separated (perovskites) from the onset of magnetic order. However, the role of SOC for other 5d configurations is less clear. For example, 5d(3) (Os(5+)) systems are expected to have an orbital singlet with reduced effective SOC. The pyrochlore Cd2Os2O7 nonetheless exhibits a MIT entwined with magnetic order phenomenologically similar to pyrochlore iridates. Here, we resolve the magnetic structure in Cd2Os2O7 with neutron diffraction and then via resonant inelastic X-ray scattering determine the salient electronic and magnetic energy scales controlling the MIT. In particular, SOC plays a subtle role in creating the electronic ground state but drives the magnetic order and emergence of a multiple spin-flip magnetic excitation.

Fractional excitations in the square lattice quantum antiferromagnet.

Quantum magnets have occupied the fertile ground between many-body theory and low-temperature experiments on real materials since the early days of quantum mechanics. However, our understanding of even deceptively simple systems of interacting spins-1/2 is far from complete. The quantum square-lattice Heisenberg antiferromagnet (QSLHAF), for example, exhibits a striking anomaly of hitherto unknown origin in its magnetic excitation spectrum. This quantum effect manifests itself for excitations propagating with the specific wave vector (π, 0). We use polarized neutron spectroscopy to fully characterize the magnetic fluctuations in the metal-organic compound CFTD, a known realization of the QSLHAF model. Our experiments reveal an isotropic excitation continuum at the anomaly, which we analyse theoretically using Gutzwiller-projected trial wavefunctions. The excitation continuum is accounted for by the existence of spatially-extended pairs of fractional S=1/2 quasiparticles, 2D analogues of 1D spinons. Away from the anomalous wave vector, these fractional excitations are bound and form conventional magnons. Our results establish the existence of fractional quasiparticles in the high-energy spectrum of a quasi-two-dimensional antiferromagnet, even in the absence of frustration.

Locking of iridium magnetic moments to the correlated rotation of oxygen octahedra in Sr2IrO4 revealed by x-ray resonant scattering.

Sr2IrO4 is a prototype of the class of Mott insulators in the strong spin-orbit interaction (SOI) limit described by a Jeff = 1/2 ground state. In Sr2IrO4, the strong SOI is predicted to manifest itself in the locking of the canting of the magnetic moments to the correlated rotation by 11.8(1)° of the oxygen octahedra that characterizes its distorted layered perovskite structure. Using x-ray resonant scattering at the Ir L3 edge we have measured accurately the intensities of Bragg peaks arising from different components of the magnetic structure. From a careful comparison of integrated intensities of peaks due to basal-plane antiferromagnetism, with those due to b-axis ferromagnetism, we deduce a canting of the magnetic moments of 12.2(8)°. We thus confirm that in Sr2IrO4 the magnetic moments rigidly follow the rotation of the oxygen octahedra, indicating that, even in the presence of significant non-cubic structural distortions, it is a close realization of the Jeff = 1/2 state.