J Kang et al 2009 J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 21 392201 doi:10.1088/0953-8984/21/39/392201
J Kang1, C Lee1, R K Kremer2 and M-H Whangbo1
Show affiliationsThe spin lattice appropriate for azurite Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 was determined by evaluating its spin exchange interactions on the basis of first principles density functional calculations. It is found that azurite is not well described as an isolated diamond chain with no spin frustration, but is better modeled as a two-dimensional spin lattice in which diamond chains with spin frustration interact through the interchain spin exchange in the ab-plane. Our analysis indicates that the magnetic properties of azurite at low temperatures can be approximated on the basis of two independent contributions, i.e., isolated dimer and effective uniform chain contributions. This prediction was verified by analyzing the magnetic susceptibility and specific heat data for azurite.
75.30.Et Exchange and superexchange interactions
Issue 39 (30 September 2009)
Received 26 May 2009, in final form 25 August 2009
Published 8 September 2009
J Kang et al 2009 J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 21 392201
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