MAGNETIC AND RESONANCE PROPERTIES OF LICU2O2 SINGLE-CRYSTALS

We study the structural, magnetic, and resonance properties of LiCu2O2 Single crystals grown by the spontaneous crystallization method. The data are interpreted on the assumption that the crystalline structure of the grown single crystals is orthorhombic. Long-range antiferromagn etic order sets in at temperatures below 22.5 K, while above this temp erature the dependence of the magnetic susceptibility has a shape char acteristic of interacting antiferromagnetic Heisenberg chains. We hypo thesize that long-range magnetic order sets in below 22.5 K through th e destruction of the ideal ladder structure of LiCu2O2 because of part ial redistribution of copper and lithium ions at the crystal lattice s ites and because of the presence of other defects in the crystalline s tructure. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics. [S1063-7761(98)02105 -2].