Spin excitations in the quasi-two-dimensional charge-ordered insulator $\alpha$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$I$_3$ probed via $^{13}$C NMR

Abstract

The spin excitations from the nonmagnetic charge-ordered insulating state of $\alpha$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$I$_3$ at ambient pressure have been investigated by probing the static and low-frequency dynamic spin susceptibilities via site-selective nuclear magnetic resonance at $^{13}$C sites. The site-dependent values of the shift and the spin-lattice relaxation rate $1/T_1$ below the charge-ordering transition temperature ($T_{CO} \approx$ 135 K) demonstrate a spin density imbalance in the unit cell, in accord with the charge-density ratio reported earlier. The shift and $1/T_1$ show activated temperature dependence with a static (shift) gap $\Delta_S \approx$ 47-52 meV and a dynamic ($1/T_1$) gap $\Delta_R \approx$ 40 meV. The sizes of the gaps are well described in terms of a localized spin model, where spin one-half antiferromagnetic dimer chains are weakly coupled with each other.