Spin-Wave Lifetimes Throughout the Brillouin Zone

We used a neutron spin-echo method with microelectron-volt resolution to determine the lifetimes of spin waves in the prototypical antiferromagnet MnF₂ over the entire Brillouin zone. A theory based on the interaction of spin waves (magnons) with longitudinal spin fluctuations provides an excellent, parameter-free description of the data, except at the lowest momenta and temperatures. This is surprising, given the prominence of alternative theories based on magnon-magnon interactions in the literature. The results and technique open up a new avenue for the investigation of fundamental concepts in magnetism. The technique also allows measurement of the lifetimes of other elementary excitations, such as lattice vibrations, throughout the Brillouin zone.