Using muons to probe low energy quantum fluctuations in the mineral Linarite

Novel, low dimensional magentic systems tend to be dominated by quantum behaviour. They serve as excellent test beds for theoretical models, but also signposting chemical structures by which to achieve different desired properties. There however some chemical structures that prove hard to predicit and synthesise within the lab, and often nature can help us out by providing naturally occuring minerals. One such example is linarite that has recieved much attention over the years; a compund that is dominated by 1D chains of Cu(II) ions.There is speculation as to whether quantum fluctuations are present and supress magnetic order or cause the magentic order to be weak. Recent neutron experiments have shown that there is very weak inter-chain coupling, but is it an order of magentitude lower then the intra-chain coupling. Muons are an ideal probe for studying order as well as any magentic flucutations and can provide definative answers on the low energy fluctuations within the system.