Momentum-independent magnetic excitation continuum in the honeycomb iridate H_3LiIr_2O_6
arxiv(2023)
摘要
In the search for realizations of Quantum Spin Liquids (QSL), it is essential
to understand the interplay between inherent disorder and the correlated
fluctuating spin ground state. H_3LiIr_2O_6 is regarded as a spin liquid
proximate to the Kitaev-limit (KQSL) in which H zero-point motion and stacking
faults are known to be present. Bond disorder has been invoked to account for
the existence of unexpected low-energy spin excitations. Controversy remains
about the nature of the underlying correlated state and if any KQSL physics
survives. Here, we use resonant X-ray spectroscopies to map the collective
excitations in H_3LiIr_2O_6 and characterize its magnetic state. We
uncover a broad bandwidth and momentum-independent continuum of magnetic
excitations at low temperatures that are distinct from the paramagnetic state.
The center energy and high-energy tail of the continuum are consistent with
expectations for dominant ferromagnetic Kitaev interactions between dynamically
fluctuating spins. The absence of a momentum dependence to these excitations
indicates a broken translational invariance. Our data support an interpretation
of H_3LiIr_2O_6 as a disordered topological spin liquid in close
proximity to bond-disordered versions of the KQSL. Our results shed light on
how random disorder affects topological magnetic states and have implications
for future experimental and theoretical works toward realizing the Kitaev model
in condensed matter systems
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关键词
honeycomb
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