Heisenberg Pentamer: Insights into Inelastic Neutron Scattering on Magnetic Clusters

J. T. Haraldsen

Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 037205 – Published 14 July 2011

Abstract

Assuming Heisenberg interactions and the symmetric case of a spin $S − S^{'}$ pentamer, the energy eigenstates can be determined exactly. With the energies known, the inelastic neutron scattering intensities are then calculated for the special case of a $1 − 1 / 2$ pentamer. Through an analysis of these results, two main insights are gained. (1) Because of symmetry constraints, not all $Δ S_{tot} = \pm 1$ transitions are accessible by inelastic neutron scattering (INS). This constrains the standard selections rules for magnetic excitations. (2) The INS signatures of magnetic clusters are directly dependent on the state and component that is excited.

Received 20 April 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.037205

Authors & Affiliations

J. T. Haraldsen

Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA, Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Tennessee 37996, USA