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Spin-lattice decoupling in a triangular-lattice quantum spin liquid

Author

Listed:
  • Takayuki Isono

    (National Institute for Materials Science
    Wako)

  • Shiori Sugiura

    (National Institute for Materials Science)

  • Taichi Terashima

    (National Institute for Materials Science)

  • Kazuya Miyagawa

    (University of Tokyo)

  • Kazushi Kanoda

    (University of Tokyo)

  • Shinya Uji

    (National Institute for Materials Science)

Abstract

A quantum spin liquid (QSL) is an exotic state of matter in condensed-matter systems, where the electron spins are strongly correlated, but conventional magnetic orders are suppressed down to zero temperature because of strong quantum fluctuations. One of the most prominent features of a QSL is the presence of fractionalized spin excitations, called spinons. Despite extensive studies, the nature of the spinons is still highly controversial. Here we report magnetocaloric-effect measurements on an organic spin-1/2 triangular-lattice antiferromagnet, showing that electron spins are decoupled from a lattice in a QSL state. The decoupling phenomena support the gapless nature of spin excitations. We further find that as a magnetic field is applied away from a quantum critical point, the number of spin states that interact with lattice vibrations is strongly reduced, leading to weak spin–lattice coupling. The results are compared with a model of a strongly correlated QSL near a quantum critical point.

Suggested Citation

  • Takayuki Isono & Shiori Sugiura & Taichi Terashima & Kazuya Miyagawa & Kazushi Kanoda & Shinya Uji, 2018. "Spin-lattice decoupling in a triangular-lattice quantum spin liquid," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-6, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-04005-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04005-1
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