Unusual spin dynamics in the van der Waals antiferromagnet FeGa2S4.

Abstract

Spin dynamics in the van der Waals antiferromagnet FeGa₂S₄with triangular lattices are investigated using magnetometry, neutron scattering, and muon spin relaxation measurements. The characteristic spin relaxation time is thoroughly clarified over thirteen orders of magnitude. Although the temperature dependence of DC and AC susceptibilities recalls a conventional spin-glass transition, nonlinear susceptibilities showing no divergences at the anomalous temperature,T∗=16.87(7) K, deny that and instead hint at other mechanisms. Elastic neutron scattering together with previously measured muon results depict a slowly fluctuated (∼10-5 s) spin state aboveT∗. In juxtaposing the underlying simplest structure among frustrated magnets with an intricate hierarchy of time scales, FeGa₂S₄can be a playground for studying temporal spin correlations in the two-dimensional limit.