Haldane-gap excitations in the low-H_c 1-dimensional quantum antiferromagnet NDMAP

Inelastic neutron scattering on deuterated single-crystal samples is used to study Haldane-gap excitations in the new S=1 one-dimensional quantum antiferromagnet NDMAP, that was recently recognized as an ideal model system for high-field studies. The Haldane gap energies $\Delta_x=0.42$ meV, $\Delta_y=0.52$ meV and $\Delta_z=1.86$ meV, for excitations polarized along the a, b, and c crystallographic axes, respectively, are directly measured. The dispersion perpendicular to the chain axis c is studied, and extremely weak inter-chain coupling constants $J_y=1.8\cdot 10^{-3}$ meV and $J_x=3.5\cdot 10^{-4}$ meV, along the a and b axes, respectively, are determined. The results are discussed in the context of future experiments in high magnetic fields.