Quasi-one-dimensional spin dynamics in LiV2O4: 1D-to-3D crossover as a possible origin of heavy fermion state

Abstract

Spin fluctuation in LiV2O4 is revisited by examining the earlier result of muon spin rotation/ relaxation measurements. Instead of a relationship for the localized electron limit, one for itinerant electron systems between muon depolarization rate and spin fluctuation rate ({\nu}_D) is employed to re-analyze data, which reveals that {\nu}D varies linearly with temperature ({\nu}_D {\propto} T) over a range 10^8-10^{12} /s for 0.02 {\le} T < 102 K. Such a linear-T behavior as well as the magnitude of {\nu}_D is fully consistent with that of the magnetic relaxation rate previously observed by inelastic neutron scattering (INS), demonstrating that {\mu}SR and INS have a common time window over the fluctuation spectrum. The linear-T dependence of {\nu}_D is understood as a specific feature predicted by a Hubbard model for intersecting one-dimensional (1D) chains. This quasi-1D character, which is co-existent with enhanced uniform susceptibility at low temperatures, supports the scenario of 1D-to-3D crossover for the microscopic origin of heavy-fermion behavior in LiV2O4.