Magnetic excitations and amplitude fluctuations in insulating cuprates

We present results from light scattering experiments on three insulating antiferromagnetic cuprates, YBa2Cu3O6.05, Bi2Sr2YCu2O8+delta, and La2CuO4 as a function of polarization and excitation energy using samples of the latest generation. From the raw data we derive symmetry-resolved spectra. The spectral shape in B-1g symmetry is found to be nearly universal and independent of excitation energy. The spectra agree quantitatively with predictions by field theory [Eur. Phys. J. B 88, 237 (2015)] facilitating the precise extraction of the Heisenberg coupling J. In addition, the asymmetric lineshape on the high-energy side is found to be related to amplitude fluctuations of themagnetization. In La2CuO4 alone, minor contributions from resonance effectsmay be identified. The spectra in the other symmetries are not universal. The variations may be traced back to weak resonance effects and extrinsic contributions. For all three compounds we find support for the existence of chiral excitations appearing as a continuum in A(2g) symmetry having an onset slightly below 3J. In La2CuO4 an additional isolated excitation appears on top of the A(2g) continuum.