Dynamical interaction of antiferromagnetic subsystems: a neutron scattering study of the spinwave spectrum of the garnet Fe2Ca3(GeO4)3

The Fe³⁺ ions in the garnet Ca₃Fe₂Ge₃O₁₂ form two identical antiferromagnetic subsystems. The interaction between the two subsystems is vanishing within molecular field approximation forq=0. A coupling appears due to the spin fluctuations. The dynamics of the system is described by the Hamiltonian for a Heisenberg antiferromagnet. Symmetry requirements impose two exchange parameters between the sublattices (nearest neighbours)J ₁ in the direction of the 3-fold axis andJ' ₁ in the other three space diagonals. The interaction within each sublattice (second nearest neighbours) is described by the exchange parameterJ ₂. The measured spin wave dispersion curves for the three principal symmetry directions are very well reproduced by a model calculation withJ ₁=-0.909(9) K,J' ₁=-0.307(8) K andJ ₂=-0.615(2)K. The observed intensities are in agreement with predictions from the model. Forq0 the model predicts two acoustic branches going towards zero frequency. A calculation beyond linear spin wave theory forq=0 predicts a quantum gap for the lower acoustic branch. This gap has been found at 0.033(4) THz. An anisotropy gap of 0.007 THz has been taken from the literature.