Phase-sensitive observation of a spin-orbital Mott state in Sr2IrO4.
Science
; 323(5919): 1329-32, 2009 Mar 06.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19265017
ABSTRACT
Measurement of the quantum-mechanical phase in quantum matter provides the most direct manifestation of the underlying abstract physics. We used resonant x-ray scattering to probe the relative phases of constituent atomic orbitals in an electronic wave function, which uncovers the unconventional Mott insulating state induced by relativistic spin-orbit coupling in the layered 5d transition metal oxide Sr2IrO4. A selection rule based on intra-atomic interference effects establishes a complex spin-orbital state represented by an effective total angular momentum = 1/2 quantum number, the phase of which can lead to a quantum topological state of matter.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
Language:
En
Journal:
Science
Year:
2009
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Japan