Physical realization of a quantum spin liquid based on a complex frustration mechanism

• DOI: 10.1038/nphys3826
• Publication Date: 2016-07-25T19:27:39Z
• Authors: Christian Balz; Bella Lake; Johannes Reuther; Hubertus Luetkens; Rico Schönemann; Thomas Herrmannsd...; Yogesh Singh; A. T. M. Nazmul I...; Elisa M. Wheeler; Jose A. Rodriguez...; Tatiana Guidi; Giovanna G. Simeoni; Chris Baines; Hanjo Ryll
• Keywords: Magnetism; Quantum fluctuation; Realization (probability); Quantum phases

Unlike conventional magnets where the magnetic moments are partially or completely static in the ground state, in a quantum spin liquid they remain in collective motion down to the lowest temperatures. The importance of this state is that it is coherent and highly entangled without breaking local symmetries. Such phenomena is usually sought in simple lattices where antiferromagnetic interactions and/or anisotropies that favor specific alignments of the magnetic moments are "frustrated" by lattice geometries incompatible with such order e.g. triangular structures. Despite an extensive search among such compounds, experimental realizations remain very few. Here we describe the investigation of a novel, unexplored magnetic system consisting of strong ferromagnetic and weaker antiferromagnetic isotropic interactions as realized by the compound Ca$_{10}$Cr$_7$O$_{28}$. Despite its exotic structure we show both experimentally and theoretically that it displays all the features expected of a quantum spin liquid including coherent spin dynamics in the ground state and the complete absence of static magnetism.<br/>Modified version accepted in Nature Physics<br/>