Bloch oscillations of spin waves in a nonuniform magnetic field

Single-particle excitations in quasi-one dimensional ferromagnetic spin chains located in nonuniform magnetic fields with large gradients are examined. Spin waves are dynamically localized in a magnetic field with a constant gradient and a system of local levels with equidistant energies develops with a form similar to the Wannier-Zeeman “ladder.” This effect is similar to Bloch oscillations of an electron in a weak electric field. In a semi-infinite chain the spectrum of spin excitations is bounded below; with increasing energy a gradual transition from spin waves in a uniform magnetic field to states with Bloch-like oscillations occurs. An infinite spin chain in a magnetic field that is constant for x 0 is considered. Under these conditions a system of local Wannier-Zeeman states develops above the spin wave zone; their spectrum becomes equidistant at high energies. Possibilities for the experimental observation of Bloch oscillations of spin waves are discussed.