Interchain interactions and magnetic properties of Li2CuO2

An effective Hamiltonian is constructed for an insulating cuprate with edge -sharing chains Li2CuO2 The Hamiltonian contains the nearest and next-neare st neighboring intrachain and zigzag-type interchain interactions. The valu es of the interactions are obtained from the analysis of the magnetic susce ptibility, and this system is found to be described as coupled frustrated c hains. We calculate the dynamical spin correlation function S(q,w) by using the exact diagonalization method, and show that the spectra of S(q,w) are characterized by the zigzag-type interchain interactions. The results of th e recent inelastic neutron-scattering experiment are discussed in the light of the calculated spectra. [S0163-1829(99)11133-0].