Spin-spin Correlation lengths of Bilayer Antiferromagnets

Abstract

The spin-spin correlation length and the static structure factor for bilayer antiferromagnets, such as YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6}$, are calculated using field theoretical and numerical methods. It is shown that these quantities can be directly measured in neutron scattering experiments using energy integrated two-axis scan despite the strong intensity modulation perpendicular to the layers. Our calculations show that the correlation length of the bilayer antiferromagnet diverges considerably more rapidly, as the temperature tends to zero, than the correlation length of the corresponding single layer antiferromagnet typified by La$_2$CuO$_4$. This rapid divergence may have important consequences with respect to magnetic fluctuations of the doped superconductors.Comment: This paper supersedes cond-mat/9703138 and contains numerical simulation results to compare against analytical results. 6 pages, 2 postscript figures (embedded), uses EuroPhys.sty and EuroMac