Zivkovic, I.; Favre, V.; Salazar Mejia, C.; Jeschke, H.O.; Magrez, A.; Dabholkar, B.; Noculak, V.; Freitas, R.S.; Jeong, M.; Hegde, N.G.; Testa, L.; Babkevich, P.; Su, Y.; Manuel, P.; Luetkens, H.; Baines, C.; Baker, P.J.; Wosnitza, J.; Zaharko, O.; Iqbal, Y.; Reuther, J.; Rønnow, H.M.: Magnetic Field Induced Quantum Spin Liquid in the Two Coupled Trillium Lattices of K2Ni2(SO4)3. Physical Review Letters 127 (2021), p. 157204/1-7
10.1103/physrevlett.127.157204
Open Access Version (externer Anbieter)
Abstract:
Quantum spin liquids are exotic states of matter that form when strongly frustrated magnetic interactions induce a highly entangled quantum paramagnet far below the energy scale of the magnetic interactions. Three-dimensional cases are especially challenging due to the significant reduction of the influence of quantum fluctuations. Here, we report the magnetic characterization of K2Ni2(SO4)3 forming a three-dimensional network of Ni2+ spins. Using density functional theory calculations, we show that this network consists of two interconnected spin-1 trillium lattices. In the absence of a magnetic field, magnetization, specific heat, neutron scattering, and muon spin relaxation experiments demonstrate a highly correlated and dynamic state, coexisting with a peculiar, very small static component exhibiting a strongly renormalized moment. A magnetic field B>4T diminishes the ordered component and drives the system into a pure quantum spin liquid state. This shows that a system of interconnected S=1 trillium lattices exhibits a significantly elevated level of geometrical frustration.