Inelastic neutron scattering study of magnetic excitations in the helimagnetic and antiferromagnetic phases of NiBr2

The spin wave dispersion in NiBr₂ has been studied by medium and long wavelength inelastic neutron scattering in the 1 1 0], 1 0 0] and 0 0 1] directions at 4.2 and 30 K, i.e. in the incommensurate helical and collinear antiferromagnetic phases. The values of the intralayer Heisenberg exchange constant J_ij and XY anisotropy constant D at 4.2(30) K are J₀₁ 0.379(1)(0.379(1)), J₀₂ 0.0036(50)(0.0036(50)), J₀₃ - 0.105(5) (?0.105(5)), J′ - 0.0423(50)(?0.389(50))D 0.0364(50)(0.0290(50)), where J′; is the interlayer exchange constant. In fitting the 4.2 K data account is taken of the co-existence of three equivalent domains and of intensity arising from $\text{ω(}\text{q}\text{)}$ and $\text{ω(}\text{q ± k}{}_0\text{)}$ where $\text{k}{}_0$ is the wavevector of the helix. In the low frequency region of the dispersion curve such peaks are resolved. The results reinforce the hypothesis that in zero-field the commensurate-incommensurate phase transition is driven by fluctuations.