Spin Dilution in Frustrated Two-Dimensional s=1/2 Antiferromagnets on a Square Lattice

Abstract

$^7$Li and $^{29}$Si NMR, $μ$SR and magnetization measurements in Li$_2$V$_{1-x}$OTi$_x$SiO$_4$, for $0 \leq x \leq 0.2$, are presented. The $x=0$ compound is a prototype of frustrated two-dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnet on a square-lattice with competing nearest ($J_1$) and next-nearest ($J_2$) neighbour exchange interactions. Ti$^{4+}$ (S=0) for V$^{4+}$ (S=1/2) substitution yields the spin dilution of the antiferromagnetic layers. The analysis of the magnetization and of the nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate shows that spin dilution not only reduces the spin-stiffness by a factor $\simeq (1-x)^2$, but also causes the decrease of the effective ratio $J_2(x)/J_1(x)$. Moreover, the sublattice magnetization curves derived from zero-field $μ$SR measurements in the collinear phase point out that, at variance with non-frustrated two-dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnets, spin dilution affects the low-temperature staggered magnetization only to a minor extent. This observation is supported also by the $x$ dependence of the collinear ordering temperature. The results obtained for the Ti doped samples are discussed in the light of the results previously obtained in the pure $x=0$ compound and in non-frustrated two-dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnets with spin-dilution.

8 pages, 9 figures