Journal Article

FZJ-2026-01970

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Magnetic ground state of atacamite Cu$_2$Cl(OH)$_3$: The crucial role of frustrated zigzag chains revealed by inelastic neutron scattering

Allen, J. L. (Corresponding author) ; Stödter, L.FZJ* ; Mole, R. A. ; Süllow, S. ; Janson, O. ; Nishimoto, S. ; Lewis, R. A. ; Rule, K. C. (Corresponding author)

2026
Inst. Woodbury, NY

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1103/lj8j-215g  doi:10.34734/FZJ-2026-01970

Abstract: We report inelastic neutron scattering (INS) measurements on the magnetically frustrated $S=1/2$ sawtooth-chain compound atacamite Cu$_2$⁢Cl⁢(OH)$_3$ featuring inequivalent Cu(1) and Cu(2) sites. Transverse to the sawtooth chains, INS reveals two dispersive spin-wave modes and a gap of at least 0.75 meV. This behavior is rationalized within a zigzag-chain model of Cu(2) spins in an effective magnetic field of Cu(1) spins. The model is compatible with first-principles calculations and accounts for INS dispersions within linear spin-wave theory calculations. Our results reveal a unique case of an effective separation of energy scales between two differently oriented one-dimensional chains, with the zigzag-chain model being essential to fully characterize the low-energy magnetism of atacamite.

Keyword(s): Magnetic Materials (1st) ; Magnetism (2nd) ; Condensed Matter Physics (2nd)

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. JCNS-4 (JCNS-4)
2. JCNS-3 (JCNS-3)
3. Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ)
4. JCNS-FRM-II (JCNS-FRM-II)

Research Program(s):

1. 6G4 - Jülich Centre for Neutron Research (JCNS) (FZJ) (POF4-6G4) (POF4-6G4)
2. 632 - Materials – Quantum, Complex and Functional Materials (POF4-632) (POF4-632)

Experiment(s):

1. Measurement at external facility

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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Database coverage:
; ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Electronics and Telecommunications Collection ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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