We show using detailed magnetic and thermodynamic studies and theoretical calculations that the ground state of Ba3ZnIr2O9 is a realization of a novel spin-orbital liquid state. Our results reveal that Ba3ZnIr2O9 with Ir5+ (5d4) ions and strong spin-orbit coupling (SOC) arrives very close to the elusive J=0 state but each Ir ion still possesses a weak moment. Ab initio density functional calculations indicate that this moment is developed due to superexchange, mediated by a strong intradimer hopping mechanism. While the Ir spins within the structural Ir2O9 dimer are expected to form a spin-orbit singlet state (SOS) with no resultant moment, substantial frustration arising from interdimer exchange interactions induce quantum fluctuations in these possible SOS states favoring a spin-orbital liquid phase down to at least 100 mK.

Nag, A., Middey, S., Bhowal, S., Panda, S.K., Mathieu, R., Orain, J.C., et al. (2016). Origin of the Spin-Orbital Liquid State in a Nearly J=0 Iridate Ba3ZnIr2 O9. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS, 116(9), 097205 [10.1103/PhysRevLett.116.097205].

Origin of the Spin-Orbital Liquid State in a Nearly J=0 Iridate Ba3ZnIr2 O9

MENEGHINI, CARLO;
2016-01-01

Abstract

We show using detailed magnetic and thermodynamic studies and theoretical calculations that the ground state of Ba3ZnIr2O9 is a realization of a novel spin-orbital liquid state. Our results reveal that Ba3ZnIr2O9 with Ir5+ (5d4) ions and strong spin-orbit coupling (SOC) arrives very close to the elusive J=0 state but each Ir ion still possesses a weak moment. Ab initio density functional calculations indicate that this moment is developed due to superexchange, mediated by a strong intradimer hopping mechanism. While the Ir spins within the structural Ir2O9 dimer are expected to form a spin-orbit singlet state (SOS) with no resultant moment, substantial frustration arising from interdimer exchange interactions induce quantum fluctuations in these possible SOS states favoring a spin-orbital liquid phase down to at least 100 mK.
2016
Nag, A., Middey, S., Bhowal, S., Panda, S.K., Mathieu, R., Orain, J.C., et al. (2016). Origin of the Spin-Orbital Liquid State in a Nearly J=0 Iridate Ba3ZnIr2 O9. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS, 116(9), 097205 [10.1103/PhysRevLett.116.097205].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11590/309785
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