We investigate the structural and magnetic properties of the new quantum magnet BaCuTe2O6. This compound is synthesized for the first time in powder and single crystal form. Synchrotron X-ray and neutron diffraction reveal a cubic crystal structure (P4132) where the magnetic Cu2+ ions form a complex network. Physical properties measurements suggest the presence of antiferromagnetic interactions with a Curie-Weiss temperature of -33K, while long-range magnetic order occurs at the much lower temperature of ~6.3K. The magnetic structure, solved using neutron diffraction, reveals antiferromagnetic order along chains parallel to the a, b and c crystal axes. This is consistent with the magnetic excitations which resemble the multispinon continuum typical of the spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain. A consistent intrachain interaction value of ~34K is achieved from the various techniques. Finally the magnetic structure provides evidence that the chains are coupled together in a non-colinear arrangement by a much weaker antiferromagnetic, frustrated hyperkagome interaction.
@article{arxiv.2102.07490,
title = {Structural and magnetic properties of the new quantum magnet BaCuTe$_2$O$_6$},
author = {A. Samartzis and D. Khalyavin and A. T. M. N. Islam and S. Chillal and K. Siemensmeyer and K. Prokes and D. J. Voneshen and A. Senyshyn and B. Lake},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2102.07490},
year = {2021}
}