Direct observation of magnon fractionalization in the quantum spin ladder

Open Access
Authors
  • B. Thielemann
  • C. Rüegg
  • H.M. Rønnow
  • A.M. Läuchli
  • J.S. Caux
  • B. Normand
  • D. Biner
  • K.W. Krämer
  • H.U. Güdel
  • J. Stahn
  • K. Habicht
  • K. Kiefer
  • M. Boehm
  • D.F. McMorrow
  • J. Mesot
Publication date 2009
Journal Physical Review Letters
Volume | Issue number 102 | 10
Pages (from-to) 107204
Number of pages 5
Organisations
  • Faculty of Science (FNWI) - Institute of Physics (IoP) - Institute for Theoretical Physics Amsterdam (ITFA)
Abstract We measure by inelastic neutron scattering the spin excitation spectra as a function of applied magnetic field in the quantum spin-ladder material (C5H12N)2CuBr4. 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.
Document type Article
Language English
Published at https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.107204
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