Combined three-dimensional polarization analysis and spin echo study of spin glass dynamics

Abstract

We report direct measurements of the time-dependent spin correlation function S( k, t) for a Cu -Mn spin glass alloy over nearly 3 decades of time in a single scan in the range 10 -12 < t < 10 -9 s. This was achieved by using, for the first time, a combination of neutron spin echo and polarization analysis techniques. The results show most clearly the particular dynamics of spin glasses, namely a behaviour that can be described by a spectrum of relaxation times spreading over a wide range.