Experimental evidence for a spin gap in the s=1/2 quantum antiferromagnet Cu2(OH)2CO3

Magnetic properties of the natural mineral Cu2(OH)2CO3 (malachite) were investigated through DC and AC susceptibility measurements. The analysis of the low-temperature data reveals a quantum spin-gap behavior with Δ≈130 K. Consistently with the crystal structure, the magnetic susceptibility can be accurately described by a model of alternating chains. The non-frustrating residual inter-chain magnetic couplings, describing a sort of dimerized square planar lattice, are not strong enough to push the system towards a long-range ordered ground state, in good agreement with recent theoretical studies.