Novel spin lattice in Cu₃TeO₆: an antiferromagnetic order and domain dynamics

Abstract

We report on magnetic properties of cubic compound Cu3TeO6 studied by $ac$\nand $dc$ susceptibility and neutron powder diffraction for the first time. A\nnovel magnetic lattice, three dimensional spin web, composed of almost planar\nregular hexagons of Cu2+, S =1/2 spins, defines the properties of Cu3TeO6. The\nbehavior of the magnetic susceptibility in the paramagnetic state at\napproximately 170 K is suggestive for a competition between local anisotropies\nof Cu2+ hexagons. The resulting frustration is weaker than the\nantiferromagnetic nearest-neighbor interaction which leads to a collinear (or\nslightly canted) spin arrangement (k=0,0,0) and formation of magnetic domains\nbelow TN=61 K.\n