Anisotropic Exchange within Decoupled Tetrahedra in the Quantum Breathing Pyrochlore Ba_{3}Yb_{2}Zn_{5}O_{11}

The low energy spin excitation spectrum of the breathing pyrochlore Ba_{3}Yb_{2}Zn_{5}O_{11} has been investigated with inelastic neutron scattering. Several nearly resolution limited modes with no observable dispersion are observed at 250 mK while, at elevated temperatures, transitions between excited levels become visible. To gain deeper insight, a theoretical model of isolated Yb^{3+} tetrahedra parametrized by four anisotropic exchange constants is constructed. The model reproduces the inelastic neutron scattering data, specific heat, and magnetic susceptibility with high fidelity. The fitted exchange parameters reveal a Heisenberg antiferromagnet with a very large Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. Using this model, we predict the appearance of an unusual octupolar paramagnet at low temperatures and speculate on the development of intertetrahedron correlations.