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Quantum electric-dipole liquid on a triangular lattice

Author

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  • Shi-Peng Shen

    (Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jia-Chuan Wu

    (Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Jun-Da Song

    (Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Xue-Feng Sun

    (Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China
    Key Laboratory of Strongly-Coupled Quantum Matter Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures)

  • Yi-Feng Yang

    (Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yi-Sheng Chai

    (Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Da-Shan Shang

    (Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Shou-Guo Wang

    (Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • James F. Scott

    (Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge
    Schools of Chemistry and Physics, St. Andrews University)

  • Young Sun

    (Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

Geometric frustration and quantum fluctuations may prohibit the formation of long-range ordering even at the lowest temperature, and therefore liquid-like ground states could be expected. A good example is the quantum spin liquid in frustrated magnets. Geometric frustration and quantum fluctuations can happen beyond magnetic systems. Here we propose that quantum electric-dipole liquids, analogues of quantum spin liquids, could emerge in frustrated dielectrics where antiferroelectrically coupled electric dipoles reside on a triangular lattice. The quantum paraelectric hexaferrite BaFe12O19 with geometric frustration represents a promising candidate for the proposed electric-dipole liquid. We present a series of experimental lines of evidence, including dielectric permittivity, heat capacity and thermal conductivity measured down to 66 mK, to reveal the existence of an unusual liquid-like quantum phase in BaFe12O19, characterized by itinerant low-energy excitations with a small gap. The possible quantum liquids of electric dipoles in frustrated dielectrics open up a fresh playground for fundamental physics.

Suggested Citation

  • Shi-Peng Shen & Jia-Chuan Wu & Jun-Da Song & Xue-Feng Sun & Yi-Feng Yang & Yi-Sheng Chai & Da-Shan Shang & Shou-Guo Wang & James F. Scott & Young Sun, 2016. "Quantum electric-dipole liquid on a triangular lattice," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-6, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms10569
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10569
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    Cited by:

    1. Yi-Yan Wang & Xin Rao & Ying Zhou & Xiang-De Zhu & Xia Zhao & Gang Chen & Na Li & Hui Liang & Tian-Long Xia & Xue-Feng Sun, 2025. "Unusual violation of the Wiedemann–Franz law at ultralow temperatures in topological compensated semimetals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-7, December.

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