Coupling between spin and orbital degrees of freedom in KCuF3

Phys Rev Lett. 2002 Mar 11;88(10):106403. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.88.106403. Epub 2002 Feb 25.

Abstract

We present the results of resonant x-ray scattering experiments on KCuF3. Structurally forbidden reflections, corresponding to magnetic and 3d-orbital long-range order, have been observed. Integrated intensities have been measured as a function of incident energy, polarization, azimuthal angle, and temperature. The results give evidence for a strong coupling between orbital and spin degrees of freedom. The interplay between magnetic and orbital order parameters is revealed by the temperature dependence of the intensity of orbital Bragg peaks.