Magnon spectrum of the helimagnetic insulator Cu2OSeO3

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Complex low-temperature-ordered states in chiral magnets are typically governed by a competition between multiple magnetic interactions. The chiral-lattice multiferroic Cu2OSeO3 became the first insulating helimagnetic material in which a long-range order of topologically stable spin vortices known as skyrmions was established. Here we employ state-of-the-art inelastic neutron scattering to comprehend the full three-dimensional spin-excitation spectrum of Cu2OSeO3 over a broad range of energies. Distinct types of high-and low-energy dispersive magnon modes separated by an extensive energy gap are observed in excellent agreement with the previously suggested microscopic theory based on a model of entangled Cu-4 tetrahedra. The comparison of our neutron spectroscopy data with model spin-dynamical calculations based on these theoretical proposals enables an accurate quantitative verification of the fundamental magnetic interactions in Cu2OSeO3 that are essential for understanding its abundant low-temperature magnetically ordered phases.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number10725
Number of pages8
JournalNature communications
Volume7
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2016
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 84959449114

Keywords

Keywords

  • MAGNETIC EXCITATIONS, SKYRMIONS, DYNAMICS, STATE, PHASE

Library keywords