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Proximate ferromagnetic state in the Kitaev model material α-RuCl3

Author

Listed:
  • H. Suzuki

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung)

  • H. Liu

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung)

  • J. Bertinshaw

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung)

  • K. Ueda

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung
    University of Tokyo)

  • H. Kim

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung
    Pohang University of Science and Technology
    Institute for Basic Science (IBS))

  • S. Laha

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung)

  • D. Weber

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung
    Karlsruhe Institute of Technology)

  • Z. Yang

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung)

  • L. Wang

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung)

  • H. Takahashi

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung)

  • K. Fürsich

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung)

  • M. Minola

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung)

  • B. V. Lotsch

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung
    University of Munich (LMU))

  • B. J. Kim

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung
    Pohang University of Science and Technology
    Institute for Basic Science (IBS))

  • H. Yavaş

    (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY
    SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory)

  • M. Daghofer

    (University of Stuttgart
    University of Stuttgart)

  • J. Chaloupka

    (Faculty of Science, Masaryk University
    Masaryk University)

  • G. Khaliullin

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung)

  • H. Gretarsson

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung
    Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY)

  • B. Keimer

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung)

Abstract

α-RuCl3 is a major candidate for the realization of the Kitaev quantum spin liquid, but its zigzag antiferromagnetic order at low temperatures indicates deviations from the Kitaev model. We have quantified the spin Hamiltonian of α-RuCl3 by a resonant inelastic x-ray scattering study at the Ru L3 absorption edge. In the paramagnetic state, the quasi-elastic intensity of magnetic excitations has a broad maximum around the zone center without any local maxima at the zigzag magnetic Bragg wavevectors. This finding implies that the zigzag order is fragile and readily destabilized by competing ferromagnetic correlations. The classical ground state of the experimentally determined Hamiltonian is actually ferromagnetic. The zigzag state is stabilized by quantum fluctuations, leaving ferromagnetism – along with the Kitaev spin liquid – as energetically proximate metastable states. The three closely competing states and their collective excitations hold the key to the theoretical understanding of the unusual properties of α-RuCl3 in magnetic fields.

Suggested Citation

  • H. Suzuki & H. Liu & J. Bertinshaw & K. Ueda & H. Kim & S. Laha & D. Weber & Z. Yang & L. Wang & H. Takahashi & K. Fürsich & M. Minola & B. V. Lotsch & B. J. Kim & H. Yavaş & M. Daghofer & J. Chaloupk, 2021. "Proximate ferromagnetic state in the Kitaev model material α-RuCl3," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-24722-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24722-4
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    Cited by:

    1. Aly H. Abdeldaim & Hlynur Gretarsson & Sarah J. Day & M. Duc Le & Gavin B. G. Stenning & Pascal Manuel & Robin S. Perry & Alexander A. Tsirlin & Gøran J. Nilsen & Lucy Clark, 2024. "Kitaev interactions through extended superexchange pathways in the $${j}_{{\mathsf{eff}}}=1/2$$ j eff = 1 / 2 Ru3+ honeycomb magnet RuP3SiO11," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.

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