Thermodynamic Evidence of Proximity to a Kitaev Spin Liquid in Ag_{3}LiIr_{2}O_{6}.
Phys Rev Lett
; 123(23): 237203, 2019 Dec 06.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31868481
ABSTRACT
Kitaev magnets are materials with bond-dependent Ising interactions between localized spins on a honeycomb lattice. Such interactions could lead to a quantum spin-liquid (QSL) ground state at zero temperature. Recent theoretical studies suggest two potential signatures of a QSL at finite temperatures, namely, a scaling behavior of thermodynamic quantities in the presence of quenched disorder, and a two-step release of the magnetic entropy. Here, we present both signatures in Ag_{3}LiIr_{2}O_{6} which is synthesized from α-Li_{2}IrO_{3} by replacing the interlayer Li atoms with Ag atoms. In addition, the dc susceptibility data confirm the absence of a long-range order, and the ac susceptibility data rule out a spin-glass transition. These observations suggest a closer proximity to the QSL in Ag_{3}LiIr_{2}O_{6} compared to its parent compound α-Li_{2}IrO_{3} that orders at 15 K. We discuss an enhanced spin-orbit coupling due to a mixing between silver d and oxygen p orbitals as a potential underlying mechanism.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
Phys Rev Lett
Year:
2019
Document type:
Article