Date of Award
4-1985
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Physics
Supervisor
Professor M.F. Collins
Abstract
An experimental study of the dynamic properties of the quasi-one-dimensional magnetic materials CsMnBr₃ and CsMn₀.₈₉Fe₀.₁₁Br₃ has been carried out. In addition, some theoretical and computer simulation work was performed on aspects of the static behaviour of selected one-dimensional magnetic systems.
CsMnBr₃ is a one-dimensional magnetic insulator. Its magnetic behaviour can be described by a Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain system with weak easy plane anisotropy. A truly one-dimensional system cannot sustain long-range order at any non-zero temperature, although short-range correlations can be strong at low temperatures. We used neutron scattering techniques to examine both the delocalized (spin wave) and localized (soliton) excitations of CsMnBr₃ in its paramagnetic phase at low temperatures. Our results of the spin wave response compare favourably with recent theory of co-operative excitations in the absence of long-range order. Our measurements of the soliton response is in qualitative agreement with the relevant theory. Soliton-like spin configurations could also be directly observed in the results of a Monte Carlo simulation on a system representative of CsMnBr₃.
We also used the Monte Carlo method to examine static spin correlation lengths within the XY to Heisenberg crossover temperature regime in CsMnBr₃.
We measured the magnetic excitation spectrum of the magnetic impurity chain system CsMn₀.₈₉Fe₀.₁₁Br₃ at low temperatures by neutron scattering techniques. The response was qualitatively different from either CsMnBr₃ or previously studied magnetic vacancy chain systems and showed marked host mode-impurity mode interaction effects.
Finally we utilized the computational ease afforded by one dimension to examine the strengths of biquadratic exchange interactions in selected Mn⁺² chain systems, including CsMnBr₃.
Recommended Citation
Gaulin, Bruce Douglas, "Topics in One-Dimensional Magnetism" (1985). Open Access Dissertations and Theses. Paper 1113.
http://digitalcommons.mcmaster.ca/opendissertations/1113