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Pressure-tuning of α-RuCl3 towards a quantum spin liquid
Q Stahl1, T Ritschel2, G Garbarino3
1Institut für Festkörper- und Materialphysik, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Nature Communications
|September 17, 2024
Summary
Applying pressure to α-RuCl₃ reveals a high-symmetry phase, ideal for the Kitaev quantum spin liquid (QSL) state. This discovery paves the way for exploring QSL phenomena in this promising material.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Quantum Magnetism
Background:
- The layered material α-RuCl₃ is a key candidate for realizing the Kitaev quantum spin liquid (QSL) state.
- Deviations from ideal Kitaev geometry at ambient pressure hinder the QSL state's emergence at low temperatures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discover and characterize a pressure-induced phase in α-RuCl₃ that promotes ideal conditions for a QSL.
- To investigate the structural and magnetic exchange properties of this novel phase.
Main Methods:
- Utilized synchrotron X-ray scattering (Bragg and diffuse scattering) to probe structural changes under pressure.
- Analyzed the pressure-induced reorganization of RuCl₃ layers and the resulting symmetry changes.
Main Results:
- Discovered a pressure-induced high-symmetry trigonal phase in α-RuCl₃.
- Observed a record high Kitaev (K) to Heisenberg (J) exchange ratio (K/J = 124) in this trigonal phase.
- Demonstrated that this phase can also be stabilized by biaxial pressure.
Conclusions:
- The pressure-induced trigonal phase in α-RuCl₃ provides near-ideal conditions for the Kitaev quantum spin liquid state.
- This finding resolves conflicting structural reports and facilitates further experimental investigation of QSL physics in α-RuCl₃.
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