Critical behavior and the Neel temperature of quantum quasi-two-dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnets

Abstract

The nonlinear sigma-model and its generalization on N-component spins, the O(N) model, are considered to describe thermodynamics of a quantum quasi-two-dimensional (quasi-2D) Heisenberg antiferromagnet. A comparison with standard spin-wave approaches is performed. The sublattice magnetization, Neel temperature and spin correlation function are calculated to first order of the 1/N-expansion. A description of crossover from a 2D-like to 3D regime of sublattice magnetization temperature dependence is obtained. The values of the critical exponents derived are β=0.36, η=0.09. An account of the corrections to the standard logarithmic term of the spin-wave theory modifies considerably the value of the Neel temperature. The thermodynamic quantities calculated are universal functions of the renormalized interlayer coupling parameter. The renormalization of interlayer coupling parameter turns out to be considerably temperature dependent. A good agreement with experimental data on La2CuO4 is obtained. The application of the approach used to the case of a ferromagnet is discussed.