X-ray scattering study of the spin-Peierls transition and soft phonon behavior in TiOCl
X-ray scattering study of the spin-Peierls transition and soft phonon behavior in TiOCl
We have studied the $S=1∕2$ quasi-one-dimensional antiferromagnet TiOCl using single crystal x-ray diffraction and inelastic x-ray scattering techniques. The Ti ions form staggered spin chains which dimerize below ${T}_{c1}=66\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ and have an incommensurate lattice distortion between ${T}_{c1}$ and ${T}_{c2}=92\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$. Based on our measurements of the intensities, wave vectors, and harmonics …