Field-induced Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid phase of a two-leg spin-1/2 ladder with strong leg interactions

Phys Rev Lett. 2010 Sep 24;105(13):137207. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.137207. Epub 2010 Sep 23.

Abstract

We study the magnetic-field-induced quantum phase transition from a gapped quantum phase that has no magnetic long-range order into a gapless phase in the spin-1/2 ladder compound bis(2,3-dimethylpyridinium) tetrabromocuprate (DIMPY). At temperatures below about 1 K, the specific heat in the gapless phase attains an asymptotic linear temperature dependence, characteristic of a Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid. Inelastic neutron scattering and the specific heat measurements in both phases are in good agreement with theoretical calculations, demonstrating that DIMPY is the first model material for an S=1/2 two-leg spin ladder in the strong-leg regime.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Magnetics*
  • Neutrons
  • Organometallic Compounds / chemistry*
  • Phase Transition
  • Pyridinium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Quantum Theory*
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Spin Labels*

Substances

  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Pyridinium Compounds
  • Spin Labels