Origin of Magnetic Ordering in a Structurally Perfect Quantum Kagome Antiferromagnet
Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 027203 (2020)
In collaboration with prof. Peter Prelovšek from the Department of Theoretical Physics and researchers from the United Kingdom, USA, and China, we have published a paper entitled “Origin of Magnetic Ordering in a Structurally Perfect Quantum Kagome Antiferromagnet” in Physical Review Letters.
Using a combination of experimental and numerical methods, we confirmed more than a decade-old theoretical prediction of a quantum critical point of a kagome antiferromagnet between a quantum spin liquid and a magnetically ordered state, induced by the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya magnetic anisotropy. The studied system YCu3(OH)6Cl3 is the first known material with a perfect kagome lattice without any impurities, in which the magnetic anisotropy can be studied in isolation from other perturbations. Understanding the mechanism of magnetic ordering in this material is crucial for understanding the stability of enigmatic quantum spin liquids.
To celebrate the paper, the first author baked a cake for the group and co-authors.
