ESR Studies of the Spin-1/2 Heisenberg Antiferromagnet Copper Pyrazine Dinitrate

Copper pyrazine dinitrate, Cu(C₄H₄N₂)(NO₃), is one of the best known model spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet chain system. Here, we present electron spin resonance (ESR) studies of this material. Angular, temperature and field dependences of ESR parameters are studied. We evidence the inequivalence of Cu sites belonging to adjacent spin chains in the ac planes. It is revealed that the dominating interchain interaction in this compound is of zig-zag-type. This interaction gives rise to geometrical frustration strongly affecting the character of antiferromagnetic ordering. Combining our experimental findings with the results of a quasiclassical approach we predict that at low temperatures the system orders in an incommensurate spiral state.