Strong quantum fluctuations in a quantum spin liquid candidate with a Co-based triangular lattice

Journal Article · 01 July 2019 · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1906483116 · OSTI ID:1564522

Zhong, Ruidan; Guo, Shu; Xu, Guangyong; Xu, Zhijun; Cava, Robert J.

Currently under active study in condensed matter physics, both theoretically and experimentally, are quantum spin liquid (QSL) states, in which no long-range magnetic ordering appears at low temperatures due to strong quantum fluctuations of the magnetic moments. The existing QSL candidates all have their intrinsic disadvantages, however, and solid evidence for quantum fluctuations is scarce. In this paper, we report a previously unreported compound, ${\mathrm{N}\mathrm{a}}_2\mathrm{B}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{o}{\left({\mathrm{P}\mathrm{O}}_4\right)}_2$, a geometrically frustrated system with effective spin-1/2 local moments for Co²⁺ions on an isotropic 2-dimensional (2D) triangular lattice. Magnetic susceptibility and neutron scattering experiments show no magnetic ordering down to 0.05 K. Thermodynamic measurements show that there is a tremendous amount of magnetic entropy present below 1 K in 0-applied magnetic field. The presence of localized low-energy spin fluctuations is revealed by inelastic neutron measurements. At low applied fields, these spin excitations are confined to low energy and contribute to the anomalously large specific heat. In larger applied fields, the system reverts to normal behavior as evident by both neutron and thermodynamic results. Our experimental characterization thus reveals that this material is an excellent candidate for the experimental realization of a QSL state.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC)
• Grant/Contract Number: SC0019331
• OSTI ID: 1564522
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 1613182; OSTI ID: 1825715
• Journal Information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Journal Name: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Journal Issue: 29 Vol. 116; ISSN 0027-8424
• Publisher: National Academy of SciencesCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English