Survival of itinerant excitations and quantum spin state transitions in YbMgGaO4 with chemical disorder

X. Rao, G. Hussain, Q. Huang, W. J. Chu, N. Li, X. Zhao, Z. Dun, E. S. Choi, T. Asaba, L. Chen, L. Li, X. Y. Yue, N. N. Wang, J.-G. Cheng, Y. H. Gao, Y. Shen, J. Zhao, G. Chen (), H. D. Zhou () and X. F. Sun ()
Additional contact information
X. Rao: University of Science and Technology of China
G. Hussain: University of Science and Technology of China
Q. Huang: University of Tennessee
W. J. Chu: University of Science and Technology of China
N. Li: University of Science and Technology of China
X. Zhao: University of Science and Technology of China
Z. Dun: University of Tennessee
E. S. Choi: Florida State University
T. Asaba: University of Michigan
L. Chen: University of Michigan
L. Li: University of Michigan
X. Y. Yue: Anhui University
N. N. Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
J.-G. Cheng: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Y. H. Gao: Fudan University
Y. Shen: Fudan University
J. Zhao: Fudan University
G. Chen: Fudan University
H. D. Zhou: University of Tennessee
X. F. Sun: University of Science and Technology of China

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract A recent focus of quantum spin liquid (QSL) studies is how disorder/randomness in a QSL candidate affects its true magnetic ground state. The ultimate question is whether the QSL survives disorder or the disorder leads to a “spin-liquid-like” state, such as the proposed random-singlet (RS) state. Since disorder is a standard feature of most QSL candidates, this question represents a major challenge for QSL candidates. YbMgGaO4, a triangular lattice antiferromagnet with effective spin-1/2 Yb3+ions, is an ideal system to address this question, since it shows no long-range magnetic ordering with Mg/Ga site disorder. Despite the intensive study, it remains unresolved as to whether YbMgGaO4 is a QSL or in the RS state. Here, through ultralow-temperature thermal conductivity and magnetic torque measurements, plus specific heat and DC magnetization data, we observed a residual κ0/T term and series of quantum spin state transitions in the zero temperature limit for YbMgGaO4. These observations strongly suggest that a QSL state with itinerant excitations and quantum spin fluctuations survives disorder in YbMgGaO4.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25247-6

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