Direct Observation of Magnon Fractionalization in the Quantum Spin Ladder

• Published in: PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS, vol. 102, num. 10, p. 107204
• Publication date: 2009

We measure by inelastic neutron scattering the spin excitation spectra as a function of applied magnetic field in the quantum spin-ladder material (C5H12N)(2)CuBr4. Discrete magnon modes at low fields in the quantum disordered phase and at high fields in the saturated phase contrast sharply with a spinon continuum at intermediate fields characteristic of the Luttinger-liquid phase. By tuning the magnetic field, we drive the fractionalization of magnons into spinons and, in this deconfined regime, observe both commensurate and incommensurate continua.

Keywords: MAGNETIC-FIELD; ANTIFERROMAGNET; CRITICALITY; DYNAMICS; C

Reference

• LQM-ARTICLE-2010-009
• doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.107204
• View record in Web of Science

Record created on 2010-02-08, modified on 2012-03-21