Magnetic spiral order in the square-lattice spin system (CuBr)Sr$_{2}$Nb$_{3}$O$_{10}$

Abstract

We address quantum spin helical states in the strongly frustrated Heisenberg model. Contrary to conventional Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya approach we show that such states appear without central symmetry breaking. As an example, we demonstrate that the magnetic and thermodynamic properties of the quasi-two-dimensional square-lattice compound $\mathrm{(CuBr)Sr_{2}Nb_{3}O_{10}}$ can be interpreted within 2D $S = 1/2$ $J_1-J_2-J_3$ Heisenberg model. In this compound neutron experiment indicates helical spin order while central symmetry does hold.