Phys.org May 10, 2022
Finding convincing evidence that quantum spin liquids exist in actual physical materials has been a decades-long challenge. In a 2019 study led by Rice university found the first evidence that cerium zirconium pyrochlore was a quantum spin liquid. To build a convincing case, an international team of researchers (USA – Florida State University, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, UCLA, Rice University, Germany) developed a model and tested it against thermodynamic, neutron-scattering and magnetization results from previously published experimental studies of cerium zirconium pyrochlore. They matched three different pieces of evidence: that a version of monopoles does exist in these cerium pyrochlore quantum spin liquids; found evidence that monopole-like spinons were created in an unusual way in cerium zirconium pyrochlore; and showed spinons in the material were produced from both these octupolar sources and more conventional, dipolar spin moments. According to the researchers their model opens a new chapter in the theoretical understanding of not only the cerium pyrochlore materials but of octupolar quantum spin liquids in general…read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLEÂ
Quantum spin liquid in a pyrochlore magnet and its experimental ramifications. Credit: npj Quantum Materials volume 7, Article number: 51 (2022)Â