Unequal sensitivities of energy levels in a high-symmetry Ho3+ complex towards lattice distortions

High-resolution inelastic neutron scattering has been used to study low-energy magnetic transitions in a Ho3+ complex. This complex crystallises in the high-symmetry space group P4/m and has near-perfect D-4d symmetry, which has allowed for the determination of all relevant spin-Hamiltonian parameters. Static and dynamic inhomogeneity in the crystal lattice manifests as a temperature-dependent broadening of the observed magnetic excitations. By implementing distributions in the spin-Hamiltonian parameters, it is possible to reproduce with great accuracy the observed magnetic transition spectrum. This reveals the range to which extraneous perturbations of the crystal field affect low-energy electronic states, such as those involved in quantum tunnelling of magnetisation, in atomic clock transitions, or in spintronics.