Spin-Wave Spectrum in `Single-Domain' Magnetic Ground State of Triangular Lattice Antiferromagnet CuFeO2

By means of neutron scattering measurements, we have investigated spin-wave excitation in a collinear four-sublattice (4SL) magnetic ground state of a triangular lattice antiferromagnet CuFeO2, which has been of recent interest as a strongly frustrated magnet, a spin-lattice coupled system and a multiferroic. To avoid mixing of spin-wave spectrum from magnetic domains having three different orientations reflecting trigonal symmetry of the crystal structure, we have applied uniaxial pressure on [1-10] direction of a single crystal CuFeO2. By elastic neutron scattering measurements, we have found that only 10 MPa of the uniaxial pressure results in almost 'single domain' state in the 4SL phase. We have thus performed inelastic neutron scattering measurements using the single domain sample, and have identified two distinct spin- wave branches. The dispersion relation of the upper spin-wave branch cannot be explained by the previous theoretical model [R. S. Fishman: J. Appl. Phys. 103 (2008) 07B109]. This implies the importance of the lattice degree of freedom in the spin-wave excitation in this system, because the previous calculation neglected the effect of the spin-driven lattice distortion in the 4SL phase. We have also discussed relationship between the present results and the recently discovered "electromagnon" excitation.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in J. Phys. Soc. Jp

On the Geometry of the Moduli Space of Real Binary Octics

The moduli space of smooth real binary octics has five connected components. They parametrize the real binary octics whose defining equations have 0, 1, ..., 4 complex-conjugate pairs of roots respectively. We show that the GIT-stable completion of each of these five components admits the structure of an arithmetic real hyperbolic orbifold. The corresponding monodromy groups are, up to commensurability, discrete hyperbolic reflection groups, and their Vinberg diagrams are computed. We conclude with a simple proof that the moduli space of GIT-stable real binary octics itself cannot be a real hyperbolic orbifold.Comment: 23 page

Electric Polarization Induced by a Proper Helical Magnetic Ordering in a Delafossite Multiferroic CuFe1-xAlxO2

Multiferroic CuFe1-xAlxO2 (x=0.02) exhibits a ferroelectric ordering accompanied by a proper helical magnetic ordering below T=7K under zero magnetic field. By polarized neutron diffraction and pyroelectric measurements, we have revealed a one-to-one correspondence between the spin helicity and the direction of the spontaneous electric polarization. This result indicates that the spin helicity of the proper helical magnetic ordering is essential for the ferroelectricity in CuFe1-xAlxO2. The induction of the electric polarization by the proper helical magnetic ordering is, however, cannot be explained by the Katsura-Nagaosa-Balatsky model, which successfully explains the ferroelectricity in the recently explored ferroelectric helimagnets, such as TbMnO3. We thus conclude that CuFe1-xAlxO2 is a new class of magnetic ferroelectrics.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

A search for cyclotron resonance features with INTEGRAL

We present an INTEGRAL observation of the Cen-Crux region in order to search the electron cyclotron resonance scattering features from the X-ray binary pulsars. During the AO1 200ks observation, we clearly detected 4 bright X-ray binaries, 1 Seyfert Galaxy, and 4 new sources in the field of view. Especially from GX301-2, the cyclotron resonance feature is detected at about 37 keV, and width of 3--4 keV. In addition, the depth of the resonance feature strongly depends on the X-ray luminosity. This is the first detection of luminosity dependence of the resonance depth. The cyclotron resonance feature is marginally detected from 1E1145.1-6141. Cen X-3 was very dim during the observation and poor statistics disable us to detect the resonance features.These are first INTEGRAL results of searching for the cyclotron resonance feature.Comment: 4pages, 8figures, To be published in the Proceedings of the 5th INTEGRAL Workshop: "The INTEGRAL Universe", February 16-20, 2004, Munic

Accreted Paleoproterozoic eolian beds and dolerite sills in the Miocene Siwalik belt, central Nepal, and their origin

Abstract HKT-ISTP 2013 A