$^{23}$Na-NMR study on the one-dimensional superoxide spin-chain compound NaO$_2$

Abstract

We report $^{23}$Na-NMR study on a candidate one-dimensional quantum spin system NaO$_2$. The Knight shift, linewidth, and spin-lattice relaxation rate $1/T_1$ were investigated down to 0.3 K under fields up to 16 T. The results reveal the opening of a spin gap of $\Delta(10.1 {\rm T}) \simeq$ 38 K below $T_{\rm S3} =$ 40 K, consistent with a spin-Peierls-like instability. The hyperfine coupling constant was found to drop sharply across the structural phase transition at $T_{\rm S2} =$ 215 K, highlighting the pronounced one-dimensional character of the system. These findings establish NaO$_2$ as a rare example of a $\pi$-orbital-based one-dimensional spin chain that exhibits a spin-gapped ground state.