Random singlet physics in the <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>S</mml:mi> <mml:mo>=</mml:mo> <mml:mfrac> <mml:mn>1</mml:mn> <mml:mn>2</mml:mn> </mml:mfrac> </mml:mrow> </mml:math> pyrochlor

We report a random singlet ground state in the $S=\frac{1}{2}$ Heisenberg pyrochlore antiferromagnet NaCdCu$_2$F$_7$. Cationic Na$^+$/Cd$^{2+}$ disorder on the pyrochlore $A$ site generates a broad distribution of Cu$^{2+}$--F$^-$--Cu$^{2+}$ exchange couplings, introducing intrinsic magnetic bond disorder. Despite strong antiferromagnetic interactions ($θ_{\mathrm{CW}}=-72$~K), no magnetic order or global spin freezing is observed in DC and AC susceptibility, specific heat or $^{23}$Na nuclear magnetic resonance to 120 mK, with muon spin relaxation experiments confirming persistent spin dynamics to 58 mK. $T$-linear specific heat, a Curie-like susceptibility tail, and power-law scaling with data collapse in $χ(T)$, $M(H)$, $C_{\mathrm{mag}}/T$, $^{23}$Na $(1/T_1T)$ and the muon spin polarization $P(t)$ reveal a disorder-driven network of random singlets and orphan spins. Scaling across multiple bulk and local probes is consistent with a broad distribution of exchange energies, $P[\mathcal{J}] \sim \mathcal{J}^{-α}$. This behavior contrasts with previously-studied Na$A''B_2$F$_7$ pyrochlore fluorides, where magnetic bond disorder precipitates spin-glass freezing, underscoring the crucial role of strong $S=\frac{1}{2}$ quantum fluctuations in NaCdCu$_2$F$_7$.

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Publication Details

Journal
Physical Review Research
Published
2026-03-09
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1103/rw5c-491w
Primary Topic
Advanced Condensed Matter Physics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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Random singlet physics in the <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>S</mml:mi> <mml:mo>=</mml:mo> <mml:mfrac> <mml:mn>1</mml:mn> <mml:mn>2</mml:mn> </mml:mfrac> </mml:mrow> </mml:math> pyrochlor

Andrej Kancko
Physical Review Research
Advanced Condensed Matter Physics
article

Random singlet physics in the <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>S</mml:mi> <mml:mo>=</mml:mo> <mml:mfrac> <mml:mn>1</mml:mn> <mml:mn>2</mml:mn> </mml:mfrac> </mml:mrow> </mml:math> pyrochlor

Andrej Kancko
article en

Abstract

We report a random singlet ground state in the $S=\frac{1}{2}$ Heisenberg pyrochlore antiferromagnet NaCdCu$_2$F$_7$. Cationic Na$^+$/Cd$^{2+}$ disorder on the pyrochlore $A$ site generates a broad distribution of Cu$^{2+}$--F$^-$--Cu$^{2+}$ exchange couplings, introducing intrinsic magnetic bond disorder. Despite strong antiferromagnetic interactions ($θ_{\mathrm{CW}}=-72$~K), no magnetic order or global spin freezing is observed in DC and AC susceptibility, specific heat or $^{23}$Na nuclear magnetic resonance to 120 mK, with muon spin relaxation experiments confirming persistent spin dynamics to 58 mK. $T$-linear specific heat, a Curie-like susceptibility tail, and power-law scaling with data collapse in $χ(T)$, $M(H)$, $C_{\mathrm{mag}}/T$, $^{23}$Na $(1/T_1T)$ and the muon spin polarization $P(t)$ reveal a disorder-driven network of random singlets and orphan spins. Scaling across multiple bulk and local probes is consistent with a broad distribution of exchange energies, $P[\mathcal{J}] \sim \mathcal{J}^{-α}$. This behavior contrasts with previously-studied Na$A''B_2$F$_7$ pyrochlore fluorides, where magnetic bond disorder precipitates spin-glass freezing, underscoring the crucial role of strong $S=\frac{1}{2}$ quantum fluctuations in NaCdCu$_2$F$_7$.

Physical Review Research
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Advanced Condensed Matter Physics
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Random singlet physics in the <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>S</mml:mi> <mml:mo>=</mml:mo> <mml:mfrac> <mml:mn>1</mml:mn> <mml:mn>2</mml:mn> </mml:mfrac> </mml:mrow> </mml:math> pyrochlor — Andrej Kancko · Physical Review Research (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS