Giant magnetocaloric effect in spin supersolid candidate Na2BaCo(PO4)2

Junsen Xiang, Chuandi Zhang, Yuan Gao, Wolfgang Schmidt, Karin Schmalzl, Chin-Wei Wang, Bo Li, Ning Xi, Xin-Yang Liu, Hai Jin, Gang Li, Jun Shen, Ziyu Chen, Yang Qi, Yuan Wan, Wentao Jin (), Wei Li (), Peijie Sun () and Gang Su ()
Additional contact information
Junsen Xiang: Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chuandi Zhang: Beihang University
Yuan Gao: Beihang University
Wolfgang Schmidt: Jülich Centre for Neutron Science at Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH
Karin Schmalzl: Jülich Centre for Neutron Science at Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH
Chin-Wei Wang: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
Bo Li: Beihang University
Ning Xi: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xin-Yang Liu: Beihang University
Hai Jin: Tsinghua University
Gang Li: Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jun Shen: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Ziyu Chen: Beihang University
Yang Qi: Fudan University
Yuan Wan: Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Wentao Jin: Beihang University
Wei Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Peijie Sun: Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Gang Su: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature, 2024, vol. 625, issue 7994, 270-275

Abstract: Abstract Supersolid, an exotic quantum state of matter that consists of particles forming an incompressible solid structure while simultaneously showing superfluidity of zero viscosity1, is one of the long-standing pursuits in fundamental research2,3. Although the initial report of 4He supersolid turned out to be an artefact4, this intriguing quantum matter has inspired enthusiastic investigations into ultracold quantum gases5–8. Nevertheless, the realization of supersolidity in condensed matter remains elusive. Here we find evidence for a quantum magnetic analogue of supersolid—the spin supersolid—in the recently synthesized triangular-lattice antiferromagnet Na2BaCo(PO4)2 (ref. 9). Notably, a giant magnetocaloric effect related to the spin supersolidity is observed in the demagnetization cooling process, manifesting itself as two prominent valley-like regimes, with the lowest temperature attaining below 100 mK. Not only is there an experimentally determined series of critical fields but the demagnetization cooling profile also shows excellent agreement with the theoretical simulations with an easy-axis Heisenberg model. Neutron diffractions also successfully locate the proposed spin supersolid phases by revealing the coexistence of three-sublattice spin solid order and interlayer incommensurability indicative of the spin superfluidity. Thus, our results reveal a strong entropic effect of the spin supersolid phase in a frustrated quantum magnet and open up a viable and promising avenue for applications in sub-kelvin refrigeration, especially in the context of persistent concerns about helium shortages10,11.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06885-w

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