Overlap length in a Cu-Mn spin glass probed by ac susceptibility

Abstract

An important theoretical concept in the ``droplet'' model of spin glasses is the existence of an overlap length. Experimentally this concept was verified by dc-magnetization measurements. However, recent ac-susceptibility measurements by Lefloch et al. [Europhys. Lett. 18, 647 (1992)] have been interpreted to contradict this result. In this paper, ac-susceptibility and dc-magnetization measurements on a Cu (2% Mn) spin glass are reported. The results of the ac-susceptibility measurements are consistent with dc measurements and provide evidence for the existence of an overlap length in 3d spin glasses at low temperatures.