Quantum helimagnetism of the frustrated spin-½ chain LiCuVO ₄

Abstract

Inelastic neutron scattering, susceptibility, and high-field magnetization identify LiCuVO<sub>4</sub> as a nearest-neighbour ferromagnetic, next-nearest-neighbour frustrated, quasi-one-dimensional helimagnet, which is largely influenced by quantum fluctuations. Complementary band structure calculations provide a microscopic model with the correct sign and magnitude of the major exchange integrals.