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Direct experimental observation of the molecular J eff = 3/2 ground state in the lacunar spinel GaTa4Se8

Author

Listed:
  • Min Yong Jeong

    (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Seo Hyoung Chang

    (Chung-Ang University)

  • Beom Hyun Kim

    (Computational Condensed Matter Physics Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako
    Interdisciplinary Theoretical Science (iTHES) Research Group, RIKEN, Wako)

  • Jae-Hoon Sim

    (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Ayman Said

    (Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory)

  • Diego Casa

    (Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory)

  • Thomas Gog

    (Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory)

  • Etienne Janod

    (Institut des Matériaux Jean Rouxel (IMN), Université de Nantes, CNRS)

  • Laurent Cario

    (Institut des Matériaux Jean Rouxel (IMN), Université de Nantes, CNRS)

  • Seiji Yunoki

    (Computational Condensed Matter Physics Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako
    Interdisciplinary Theoretical Science (iTHES) Research Group, RIKEN, Wako
    Computational Quantum Matter Research Team, RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS), Wako
    Computational Materials Science Research Team, RIKEN Advanced Institute for Computational Science (AICS), Kobe)

  • Myung Joon Han

    (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Jungho Kim

    (Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory)

Abstract

Strong spin–orbit coupling lifts the degeneracy of t 2g orbitals in 5d transition-metal systems, leaving a Kramers doublet and quartet with effective angular momentum of J eff = 1/2 and 3/2, respectively. These spin–orbit entangled states can host exotic quantum phases such as topological Mott state, unconventional superconductivity, and quantum spin liquid. The lacunar spinel GaTa4Se8 was theoretically predicted to form the molecular J eff = 3/2 ground state. Experimental verification of its existence is an important first step to exploring the consequences of the J eff = 3/2 state. Here, we report direct experimental evidence of the J eff = 3/2 state in GaTa4Se8 by means of excitation spectra of resonant inelastic X-ray scattering at the Ta L3 and L2 edges. We find that the excitations involving the J eff = 1/2 molecular orbital are absent only at the Ta L2 edge, manifesting the realization of the molecular J eff = 3/2 ground state in GaTa4Se8.

Suggested Citation

  • Min Yong Jeong & Seo Hyoung Chang & Beom Hyun Kim & Jae-Hoon Sim & Ayman Said & Diego Casa & Thomas Gog & Etienne Janod & Laurent Cario & Seiji Yunoki & Myung Joon Han & Jungho Kim, 2017. "Direct experimental observation of the molecular J eff = 3/2 ground state in the lacunar spinel GaTa4Se8," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-017-00841-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00841-9
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    Cited by:

    1. Thorben Petersen & Pritam Bhattacharyya & Ulrich K. Rößler & Liviu Hozoi, 2023. "Resonating holes vs molecular spin-orbit coupled states in group-5 lacunar spinels," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-5, December.

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