Magnon interactions in a moderately correlated Mott insulator.

Wang, Qisi; Mustafi, S; Fogh, E; Astrakhantsev, N; He, Z; Biało, I; Chan, Ying; Martinelli, L et al. · Nat Commun · 2024

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Quantum fluctuations in low-dimensional systems and near quantum phase transitions have significant influences on material properties. Yet, it is difficult to experimentally gauge the strength and importance of quantum fluctuations. Here we provide a resonant inelastic x-ray scattering study of magnon excitations in Mott insulating cuprates. From the thin film of SrCuO<sub>2</sub>, single- and bi-magnon dispersions are derived. Using an effective Heisenberg Hamiltonian generated from the Hubbard model, we show that the single-magnon dispersion is only described satisfactorily when including significant quantum corrections stemming from magnon-magnon interactions. Comparative results on La<sub>2</sub>CuO<sub>4</sub> indicate that quantum fluctuations are much stronger in SrCuO<sub>2</sub> suggesting closer proximity to a magnetic quantum critical point. Monte Carlo calculations reveal that other magnetic orders may compete with the antiferromagnetic Néel order as the ground state. Our results indicate that SrCuO<sub>2</sub>-due to strong quantum fluctuations-is a unique starting point for the exploration of novel magnetic ground states.