Static magnetic order with strong quantum fluctuations in spin-1/2 honeycomb magnet Na2Co2TeO6
Kitaev interactions, arising from the interplay of frustration and bond anisotropy, can lead to strong quantum fluctuations and, in an ideal case, to a quantum-spin-liquid state. However, in many nonideal materials, spurious non-Kitaev interactions typically promote a zigzag antiferromagnetic order in the d-orbital transition-metal compounds. Here, by combining neutron scattering with muon-spin rotation and relaxation techniques, we provide mechanism insights into the exotic properties of Na2Co2TeO6, a candidate material of the Kitaev model. Below TN, the zero-field muon-spin relaxation rate becomes almost constant (~0.45 μs−1). We attribute this temperature-independent relaxation rate to the strong quantum fluctuations, as well as to the frustrated Kitaev interactions. As the magnetic field increases, neutron scattering data indicate a broader spin-wave excitation at the K-point. Therefore, quantum fluctuations seem not only robust but are even enhanced by the applied magnetic field. Our findings provide valuable hints for understanding the onset of the quantum-spin-liquid state in Kitaev materials. Na2Co2TeO6 is a candidate Kitaev spin-liquid, but the nature of its ground state remains controversial, as spurious non-Kitaev exchange interactions promote magnetic ordering. Here, neutron scattering and muon-spin rotation experiments indicate the presence of strong quantum fluctuations in the ground state, giving rise to a multi-domain zigzag antiferromagnetic order.
Authors
- Jinlong Jiao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5896-3729)
- Haidong Zhou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1595-1912)
- S. R. Dunsiger
- Xiyang Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6929-7696)
- А. И. Колесников (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1940-4649)
- Guochu Deng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8807-9427)
- Mingfang Shu
- T. Shiroka (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8624-2649)
- Tao Hong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0161-8588)
- O. Zaharko
- Tian Shang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5916-0020)
- Jie Ma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7060-1325)
- Gaoting Lin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3833-7501)
- Xiaoqun Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9990-0644)
- M. C. Aronson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6150-2115)
- Wei Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3042-608X)
Institutions
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (US)
- TRIUMF (CA)
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (AU)
- University of British Columbia (CA)
- Simon Fraser University (CA)
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University (CN)
- Paul Scherrer Institute (CH)
- ETH Zurich (CH)
- Key Laboratory of Guangdong Province (CN)
- East China Normal University (CN)
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (US)
- Zhejiang University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Communications Materials
- Published
- 2024-08-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-024-00594-1
- Citations
- 10
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Condensed Matter Physics
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 3.11
Funders
- National Science Foundation
- U.S. Department of Energy
- Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
- TRIUMF
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology
- East China Normal University
- Paul Scherrer Institut
- Simon Fraser University
- Ministry of Education, India
- Zhejiang University
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing
- Canada First Research Excellence Fund
- Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment
- Office of Science
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
- National Key Research and Development Program of China
- Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute, University of British Columbia
- Division of Materials Research
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory