2025
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Ginga, V. A.; Shen, B.; Uykur, E.; Giordano, N.; Gegenwart, P.; Tsirlin, A. A. Pressure-tuned spin chains in brochantite, Cu4SO4(OH)6 Journal Article Phys. Rev. Mater. 9, 094412 (2025). @article{ginga_pressure-tuned_2025,
title = {Pressure-tuned spin chains in brochantite, Cu_{4}SO_{4}(OH)_{6}},
author = {V. A. Ginga and B. Shen and E. Uykur and N. Giordano and P. Gegenwart and A. A. Tsirlin},
url = {https://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/g459-sxb7},
doi = {10.1103/g459-sxb7},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-09-24},
urldate = {2025-09-01},
journal = {Phys. Rev. Mater.},
volume = {9},
number = {9},
pages = {094412},
abstract = {Using high-pressure single-crystal x-ray diffraction combined with thermodynamic measurements and density-functional calculations, we uncover the microscopic magnetic model of the mineral brochantite, Cu4SO4(OH)6, and its evolution upon compression. The formation of antiferromagnetic spin chains with the effective intrachain coupling of 𝐽≃100K is attributed to the occurrence of longer Cu–Cu distances and larger Cu–O–Cu bond angles between the structural chains within the layers of the brochantite structure. These zigzag spin chains are additionally stabilized by ferromagnetic couplings 𝐽2 between second neighbors and moderately frustrated by several antiferromagnetic couplings that manifest themselves in the reduced Néel temperature of the material. Pressure tuning of the brochantite structure keeps its monoclinic symmetry unchanged and leads to the growth of antiferromagnetic 𝐽 with the rate of 3.2 K/GPa, although this trend is primarily caused by the enhanced ferromagnetic couplings 𝐽2. Our results show that the nature of magnetic couplings in brochantite and in other layered Cu2+ minerals is controlled by the size of the lattice translation along their structural chains and by the extent of the layer buckling.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Using high-pressure single-crystal x-ray diffraction combined with thermodynamic measurements and density-functional calculations, we uncover the microscopic magnetic model of the mineral brochantite, Cu4SO4(OH)6, and its evolution upon compression. The formation of antiferromagnetic spin chains with the effective intrachain coupling of 𝐽≃100K is attributed to the occurrence of longer Cu–Cu distances and larger Cu–O–Cu bond angles between the structural chains within the layers of the brochantite structure. These zigzag spin chains are additionally stabilized by ferromagnetic couplings 𝐽2 between second neighbors and moderately frustrated by several antiferromagnetic couplings that manifest themselves in the reduced Néel temperature of the material. Pressure tuning of the brochantite structure keeps its monoclinic symmetry unchanged and leads to the growth of antiferromagnetic 𝐽 with the rate of 3.2 K/GPa, although this trend is primarily caused by the enhanced ferromagnetic couplings 𝐽2. Our results show that the nature of magnetic couplings in brochantite and in other layered Cu2+ minerals is controlled by the size of the lattice translation along their structural chains and by the extent of the layer buckling. |  |
Ferreira-Carvalho, M. M.; Rößler, S.; Chang, C. F.; Hu, Z.; Valvidares, S. M.; Gargiani, P.; Haverkort, M. W.; Mukharjee, P. K.; Gegenwart, P.; Tsirlin, A. A.; Tjeng, L. H. Trigonal distortion in the Kitaev candidate honeycomb magnet BaCo2(AsO4)2 Journal Article Phys. Rev. B 112, 125135 (2025). @article{ferreira-carvalho_trigonal_2025,
title = {Trigonal distortion in the Kitaev candidate honeycomb magnet BaCo_{2}(AsO_{4})_{2}},
author = {M. M. Ferreira-Carvalho and S. Rößler and C. F. Chang and Z. Hu and S. M. Valvidares and P. Gargiani and M. W. Haverkort and P. K. Mukharjee and P. Gegenwart and A. A. Tsirlin and L. H. Tjeng},
url = {https://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/2sdd-pyx1},
doi = {10.1103/2sdd-pyx1},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-09-16},
urldate = {2025-09-01},
journal = {Phys. Rev. B},
volume = {112},
number = {12},
pages = {125135},
abstract = {We conducted x-ray absorption (XAS) and magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) measurements at the Co 𝐿2,3 edges on single crystals of the Kitaev candidate honeycomb lattice compound BaCo2(AsO4)2. The measurements employed the inverse partial fluorescence yield technique, which is ideal for acquiring reliable x-ray absorption spectra from highly insulating samples, enabling precise quantitative analysis. Our experimental results revealed a significant linear dichroic signal, indicating strong trigonal distortion in the CoO6 octahedra in BaCo2(AsO4)2. We performed a detailed analysis of the experimental XAS and XMCD spectra using a full-multiplet configuration-interaction cluster model. This analysis unveiled that the 𝑡2𝑔 hole density is predominantly localized in the 𝑎1𝑔 orbital. Through XMCD sum rules and theoretical calculations, we quantified both the spin and orbital magnetic moments. Our study demonstrates that the local electronic structure of the CoO6 octahedra displays an effective trigonal distortion of approximately −0.114 eV. This distortion is larger than the Co 3𝑑 spin-orbit coupling constant, emphasizing the crucial impact of local structural distortions on the electronic and magnetic properties of BaCo2(AsO4)2.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
We conducted x-ray absorption (XAS) and magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) measurements at the Co 𝐿2,3 edges on single crystals of the Kitaev candidate honeycomb lattice compound BaCo2(AsO4)2. The measurements employed the inverse partial fluorescence yield technique, which is ideal for acquiring reliable x-ray absorption spectra from highly insulating samples, enabling precise quantitative analysis. Our experimental results revealed a significant linear dichroic signal, indicating strong trigonal distortion in the CoO6 octahedra in BaCo2(AsO4)2. We performed a detailed analysis of the experimental XAS and XMCD spectra using a full-multiplet configuration-interaction cluster model. This analysis unveiled that the 𝑡2𝑔 hole density is predominantly localized in the 𝑎1𝑔 orbital. Through XMCD sum rules and theoretical calculations, we quantified both the spin and orbital magnetic moments. Our study demonstrates that the local electronic structure of the CoO6 octahedra displays an effective trigonal distortion of approximately −0.114 eV. This distortion is larger than the Co 3𝑑 spin-orbit coupling constant, emphasizing the crucial impact of local structural distortions on the electronic and magnetic properties of BaCo2(AsO4)2. |  |
Prodan, L.; Evans, D. M.; Sukhanov, A. S.; Nikitin, S. E.; Tsirlin, A. A.; Puntigam, L.; Rahn, M. C.; Chioncel, L.; Tsurkan, V.; Kézsmárki, I. Easy-cone state mediating the spin reorientation in the topological kagome magnet Fe3Sn2 Journal Article Phys. Rev. B 111, 184442 (2025). @article{prodan_easy-cone_2025,
title = {Easy-cone state mediating the spin reorientation in the topological kagome magnet Fe_{3}Sn_{2}},
author = {L. Prodan and D. M. Evans and A. S. Sukhanov and S. E. Nikitin and A. A. Tsirlin and L. Puntigam and M. C. Rahn and L. Chioncel and V. Tsurkan and I. Kézsmárki},
url = {https://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevB.111.184442},
doi = {10.1103/PhysRevB.111.184442},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-05-30},
urldate = {2025-05-01},
journal = {Phys. Rev. B},
volume = {111},
number = {18},
pages = {184442},
abstract = {We investigated temperature-driven spin reorientation (SR) in the itinerant kagome magnet Fe3Sn2 using high-resolution synchrotron x-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, magnetometry, and magnetic force microscopy (MFM), further supported by phenomenological analysis. Our study reveals a crossover from the state with easy-plane anisotropy to the high-temperature state with uniaxial easy-axis anisotropy taking place between ∼40 and 130 K through an intermediate easy-cone (or tilted spin) state. This state, induced by the interplay between the anisotropy constants 𝐾1 and 𝐾2, is clearly manifested in the thermal evolution of the magnetic structure factor, which reveals a gradual change of the SR angle 𝜃 between 40 and 130 K. We also found that the SR is accompanied by a magnetoelastic effect. Zero-field MFM images across the SR range show a transformation in surface magnetic patterns from a dendritic structure at 120 K to domain-wall-dominated MFM contrast at 40 K. Our analysis suggests that the SR and associated microstructural transformations are the results of competing first- and second-order anisotropy constants.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
We investigated temperature-driven spin reorientation (SR) in the itinerant kagome magnet Fe3Sn2 using high-resolution synchrotron x-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, magnetometry, and magnetic force microscopy (MFM), further supported by phenomenological analysis. Our study reveals a crossover from the state with easy-plane anisotropy to the high-temperature state with uniaxial easy-axis anisotropy taking place between ∼40 and 130 K through an intermediate easy-cone (or tilted spin) state. This state, induced by the interplay between the anisotropy constants 𝐾1 and 𝐾2, is clearly manifested in the thermal evolution of the magnetic structure factor, which reveals a gradual change of the SR angle 𝜃 between 40 and 130 K. We also found that the SR is accompanied by a magnetoelastic effect. Zero-field MFM images across the SR range show a transformation in surface magnetic patterns from a dendritic structure at 120 K to domain-wall-dominated MFM contrast at 40 K. Our analysis suggests that the SR and associated microstructural transformations are the results of competing first- and second-order anisotropy constants. |  |
Sakrikar, P.; Shen, B.; Poldi, Eduardo H. T.; Bahrami, F.; Hu, X.; Kenney, E. M.; Wang, Q.; Fruhling, K. W.; Wang, C.; Gupta, R.; Khasanov, R.; Luetkens, H.; Calder, S. A.; Aczel, A. A.; Fabbris, G.; Hemley, R. J.; Plumb, K. W.; Ran, Y.; Gegenwart, P.; Tsirlin, A. A.; Haskel, D.; Graf, M. J.; Tafti, F. Pressure tuning of competing interactions on a honeycomb lattice Journal Article Nat. Commun. 16, 4712 (2025). @article{sakrikar_pressure_2025,
title = {Pressure tuning of competing interactions on a honeycomb lattice},
author = {P. Sakrikar and B. Shen and Eduardo H. T. Poldi and F. Bahrami and X. Hu and E. M. Kenney and Q. Wang and K. W. Fruhling and C. Wang and R. Gupta and R. Khasanov and H. Luetkens and S. A. Calder and A. A. Aczel and G. Fabbris and R. J. Hemley and K. W. Plumb and Y. Ran and P. Gegenwart and A. A. Tsirlin and D. Haskel and M. J. Graf and F. Tafti},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59897-7},
doi = {10.1038/s41467-025-59897-7},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-05-21},
urldate = {2025-05-21},
journal = {Nat. Commun.},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {4712},
abstract = {Exchange interactions are mediated via orbital overlaps across chemical bonds. Thus, modifying the bond angles by physical pressure or strain can tune the relative strength of competing interactions. Here we present a remarkable case of such tuning between the Heisenberg (J) and Kitaev (K) exchange, which respectively establish magnetically ordered and spin liquid phases on a honeycomb lattice. We observe a rapid suppression of the Néel temperature (TN) with pressure in Ag3LiRh2O6, a spin-1/2 honeycomb lattice with both J and K couplings. Using a combined analysis of x-ray data and first-principles calculations, we find that pressure modifies the bond angles in a way that increases the ∣K/J∣ ratio and thereby suppresses TN. Consistent with this picture, we observe a spontaneous onset of muon spin relaxation (μSR) oscillations below TN at low pressure, whereas in the high pressure phase, oscillations appear only when T < TN/2. Unlike other candidate Kitaev materials, Ag3LiRh2O6is tuned toward a quantum critical point by pressure while avoiding a structural dimerization in the relevant pressure range.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Exchange interactions are mediated via orbital overlaps across chemical bonds. Thus, modifying the bond angles by physical pressure or strain can tune the relative strength of competing interactions. Here we present a remarkable case of such tuning between the Heisenberg (J) and Kitaev (K) exchange, which respectively establish magnetically ordered and spin liquid phases on a honeycomb lattice. We observe a rapid suppression of the Néel temperature (TN) with pressure in Ag3LiRh2O6, a spin-1/2 honeycomb lattice with both J and K couplings. Using a combined analysis of x-ray data and first-principles calculations, we find that pressure modifies the bond angles in a way that increases the ∣K/J∣ ratio and thereby suppresses TN. Consistent with this picture, we observe a spontaneous onset of muon spin relaxation (μSR) oscillations below TN at low pressure, whereas in the high pressure phase, oscillations appear only when T < TN/2. Unlike other candidate Kitaev materials, Ag3LiRh2O6is tuned toward a quantum critical point by pressure while avoiding a structural dimerization in the relevant pressure range. |  |
Szaller, D.; Prodan, L.; Geirhos, K.; Felea, V.; Skourski, Y.; Gorbunov, D.; Förster, T.; Helm, T.; Nomura, T.; Miyata, A.; Zherlitsyn, S.; Wosnitza, J.; Tsirlin, A. A.; Tsurkan, V.; Kézsmárki, I. Coexistence of antiferromagnetism and ferrimagnetism in adjacent honeycomb layers Journal Article Phys. Rev. B 111, 184404 (2025). @article{szaller_coexistence_2025,
title = {Coexistence of antiferromagnetism and ferrimagnetism in adjacent honeycomb layers},
author = {D. Szaller and L. Prodan and K. Geirhos and V. Felea and Y. Skourski and D. Gorbunov and T. Förster and T. Helm and T. Nomura and A. Miyata and S. Zherlitsyn and J. Wosnitza and A. A. Tsirlin and V. Tsurkan and I. Kézsmárki},
url = {https://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevB.111.184404},
doi = {10.1103/PhysRevB.111.184404},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-05-02},
urldate = {2025-05-02},
journal = {Phys. Rev. B},
volume = {111},
number = {18},
pages = {184404},
abstract = {Ferro-/ferri- and antiferromagnetically ordered phases are typically exclusive in nature, thus, their coexistence in atomic-scale proximity is expected only in heterostructures. Breaking this paradigm and broadening the range of unconventional magnetic states, we report here on the observation of a new, atomic-scale hybrid spin state. This ordering is stabilized in three-dimensional crystals of the polar antiferromagnet Co2Mo3O8 by magnetic fields applied perpendicular to the Co honeycomb layers and possesses a spontaneous in-plane ferromagnetic moment. Our microscopic spin model, capturing the observed field dependence of the longitudinal and transverse magnetization as well as the magnetoelectric/elastic properties, reveals that this novel spin state is composed of an alternating stacking of antiferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic honeycomb layers. The strong intralayer and the weak interlayer exchange couplings together with competing anisotropies at octahedral and tetrahedral Co sites are identified as the key ingredients to stabilize antiferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic layers in such close proximity. We show that the proper balance of magnetic interactions can extend the stability range of this hybrid phase down to zero magnetic field. The possibility to realize a layer-by-layer stacking of such distinct spin orders via suitable combinations of microscopic interactions opens a new dimension toward the nanoscale engineering of magnetic states.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Ferro-/ferri- and antiferromagnetically ordered phases are typically exclusive in nature, thus, their coexistence in atomic-scale proximity is expected only in heterostructures. Breaking this paradigm and broadening the range of unconventional magnetic states, we report here on the observation of a new, atomic-scale hybrid spin state. This ordering is stabilized in three-dimensional crystals of the polar antiferromagnet Co2Mo3O8 by magnetic fields applied perpendicular to the Co honeycomb layers and possesses a spontaneous in-plane ferromagnetic moment. Our microscopic spin model, capturing the observed field dependence of the longitudinal and transverse magnetization as well as the magnetoelectric/elastic properties, reveals that this novel spin state is composed of an alternating stacking of antiferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic honeycomb layers. The strong intralayer and the weak interlayer exchange couplings together with competing anisotropies at octahedral and tetrahedral Co sites are identified as the key ingredients to stabilize antiferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic layers in such close proximity. We show that the proper balance of magnetic interactions can extend the stability range of this hybrid phase down to zero magnetic field. The possibility to realize a layer-by-layer stacking of such distinct spin orders via suitable combinations of microscopic interactions opens a new dimension toward the nanoscale engineering of magnetic states. |  |
Hua, N.; Breitner, F.; Jesche, A.; Huang, S. -W.; Rüegg, C.; Gegenwart, P. Structural and magnetic properties of β-Li2IrO3 after grazing-angle focused ion beam thinning Journal Article Acta Crystallogr. B 81, 202 (2025). @article{hua_structural_2025,
title = {Structural and magnetic properties of β-Li_{2}IrO_{3} after grazing-angle focused ion beam thinning},
author = {N. Hua and F. Breitner and A. Jesche and S. -W. Huang and C. Rüegg and P. Gegenwart},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1107/S2052520625000587},
doi = {10.1107/S2052520625000587},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-04-01},
urldate = {2025-04-01},
journal = {Acta Crystallogr. B},
volume = {81},
number = {2},
pages = {202},
abstract = {Manipulating the size and orientation of quantum materials is often used to tune emergent phenomena, but precise control of these parameters is also necessary from an experimental point of view. Various synthesis techniques already exist, such as epitaxial thin film growth and chemical etching, that are capable of producing specific sample dimensions with high precision. However, certain materials exist as single crystals that are often difficult to manipulate, thereby limiting their studies to a certain subset of experimental techniques. One particular class of these materials includes lithium and sodium iridates, which are promising candidates for hosting a Kitaev quantum spin liquid state. Here a controlled method of using a focused ion beam at grazing incidence to reduce the size of a β-Li_2IrO_3 single crystal to a thickness of 1–2𝜇m is presented. Subsequent X-ray diffraction measurements show the lattice remains intact, albeit with a larger mosaic spread. The integrity of the magnetic order is also preserved as the temperature dependent magnetic diffraction peak follows the same trend as its bulk counterpart with a transition temperature at textitT = 37.5K. Our study demonstrates a technique that opens up the possibility of nonequilibrium experiments where submicron thin samples are often essential.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Manipulating the size and orientation of quantum materials is often used to tune emergent phenomena, but precise control of these parameters is also necessary from an experimental point of view. Various synthesis techniques already exist, such as epitaxial thin film growth and chemical etching, that are capable of producing specific sample dimensions with high precision. However, certain materials exist as single crystals that are often difficult to manipulate, thereby limiting their studies to a certain subset of experimental techniques. One particular class of these materials includes lithium and sodium iridates, which are promising candidates for hosting a Kitaev quantum spin liquid state. Here a controlled method of using a focused ion beam at grazing incidence to reduce the size of a β-Li_2IrO_3 single crystal to a thickness of 1–2𝜇m is presented. Subsequent X-ray diffraction measurements show the lattice remains intact, albeit with a larger mosaic spread. The integrity of the magnetic order is also preserved as the temperature dependent magnetic diffraction peak follows the same trend as its bulk counterpart with a transition temperature at textitT = 37.5K. Our study demonstrates a technique that opens up the possibility of nonequilibrium experiments where submicron thin samples are often essential. |  |
Uykur, E.; Janson, O.; Ginga, V. A.; Schmidt, M.; Giordano, N.; Tsirlin, A. A. Tunable Dirac nodal line in orthorhombic RuO2 Journal Article Phys. Rev. B 111, 134114 (2025). @article{uykur_tunable_2025,
title = {Tunable Dirac nodal line in orthorhombic RuO_{2}},
author = {E. Uykur and O. Janson and V. A. Ginga and M. Schmidt and N. Giordano and A. A. Tsirlin},
url = {https://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevB.111.134114},
doi = {10.1103/PhysRevB.111.134114},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-04-01},
urldate = {2025-04-01},
journal = {Phys. Rev. B},
volume = {111},
number = {13},
pages = {134114},
abstract = {The pressure evolution of RuO2 is studied using single-crystal x-ray diffraction in a diamond anvil cell, combined with ab initio band-structure calculations. The tetragonal rutile structure transforms into the orthorhombic CaCl2-type structure above 13 GPa under quasihydrostatic pressure conditions. This second-order transition is ferroelastic in nature and accompanied by tilts of the RuO6 octahedra. Orthorhombic RuO2 is expected to be a paramagnetic metal, similar to ambient-pressure RuO2. It shows the increased 𝑡2𝑔−𝑒𝑔 crystal-field splitting that is responsible for the pressure-induced color change. It further features the Dirac nodal line that shifts across the Fermi level upon compression.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The pressure evolution of RuO2 is studied using single-crystal x-ray diffraction in a diamond anvil cell, combined with ab initio band-structure calculations. The tetragonal rutile structure transforms into the orthorhombic CaCl2-type structure above 13 GPa under quasihydrostatic pressure conditions. This second-order transition is ferroelastic in nature and accompanied by tilts of the RuO6 octahedra. Orthorhombic RuO2 is expected to be a paramagnetic metal, similar to ambient-pressure RuO2. It shows the increased 𝑡2𝑔−𝑒𝑔 crystal-field splitting that is responsible for the pressure-induced color change. It further features the Dirac nodal line that shifts across the Fermi level upon compression. |  |
Wenzel, M.; Uykur, E.; Rößler, S.; Schmidt, M.; Janson, O.; Tiwari, A.; Dressel, M.; Tsirlin, A. A. Fermi-liquid behavior of nonaltermagnetic RuO2 Journal Article Phys. Rev. B 111, L041115 (2025). @article{wenzel_fermi-liquid_2025,
title = {Fermi-liquid behavior of nonaltermagnetic RuO_{2}},
author = {M. Wenzel and E. Uykur and S. Rößler and M. Schmidt and O. Janson and A. Tiwari and M. Dressel and A. A. Tsirlin},
url = {https://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevB.111.L041115},
doi = {10.1103/PhysRevB.111.L041115},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-28},
urldate = {2025-01-28},
journal = {Phys. Rev. B},
volume = {111},
number = {4},
pages = {L041115},
abstract = {The presence of magnetism in potentially altermagnetic RuO2 has been a subject of intense debate. Using broadband infrared spectroscopy combined with density-functional band-structure calculations, we show that the optical conductivity of RuO2, the bulk probe of its electronic structure, is best described by a nonmagnetic model. The sharp Pauli edge demonstrates the presence of a Dirac nodal line lying 45 meV below the Fermi level. An excellent match between the experimental and ab initio plasma frequencies underpins the weakness of electronic correlations. The intraband part of the optical conductivity indicates Fermi-liquid behavior with two distinct scattering rates below 150 K. Fermi-liquid theory also accounts for the temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility of RuO2 and allows a consistent description of this material as a paramagnetic metal.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The presence of magnetism in potentially altermagnetic RuO2 has been a subject of intense debate. Using broadband infrared spectroscopy combined with density-functional band-structure calculations, we show that the optical conductivity of RuO2, the bulk probe of its electronic structure, is best described by a nonmagnetic model. The sharp Pauli edge demonstrates the presence of a Dirac nodal line lying 45 meV below the Fermi level. An excellent match between the experimental and ab initio plasma frequencies underpins the weakness of electronic correlations. The intraband part of the optical conductivity indicates Fermi-liquid behavior with two distinct scattering rates below 150 K. Fermi-liquid theory also accounts for the temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility of RuO2 and allows a consistent description of this material as a paramagnetic metal. |  |
Shen, B.; Insuasti Pazmino, E.; Dhakal, R.; Freund, F.; Gegenwart, P.; Winter, S. M.; Tsirlin, A. A. Pressure-dependent magnetism of the Kitaev candidate Li2RhO3 Journal Article npj Quantum Mater. 10, 9 (2025). @article{shen_pressure-dependent_2025,
title = {Pressure-dependent magnetism of the Kitaev candidate Li_{2}RhO_{3}},
author = {B. Shen and Insuasti Pazmino, E. and R. Dhakal and F. Freund and P. Gegenwart and S. M. Winter and A. A. Tsirlin},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41535-025-00730-1},
doi = {10.1038/s41535-025-00730-1},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-01-22},
urldate = {2025-01-22},
journal = {npj Quantum Mater.},
volume = {10},
number = {1},
pages = {9},
abstract = {We use magnetization measurements under pressure along with ab initio and cluster many-body calculations to investigate magnetism of the Kitaev candidate Li2RhO3. Hydrostatic compression leads to a decrease in the magnitude of the nearest-neighbor ferromagnetic Kitaev coupling K1 and the corresponding increase in the off-diagonal anisotropy Γ1, whereas the experimental Curie-Weiss temperature changes from negative to positive with the slope of +40 K/GPa. On the other hand, spin freezing persists up to at least 3.46 GPa with the almost constant freezing temperature of 5 K that does not follow the large changes in the exchange couplings and indicates the likely extrinsic origin of spin freezing. Magnetic frustration in Li2RhO3 is mainly related to the interplay between ferromagnetic K1 and antiferromagnetic Γ1, along with the weakness of the third-neighbor coupling J3 that would otherwise stabilize zigzag order. The small J3 distinguishes Li2RhO3 from other Kitaev candidates.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
We use magnetization measurements under pressure along with ab initio and cluster many-body calculations to investigate magnetism of the Kitaev candidate Li2RhO3. Hydrostatic compression leads to a decrease in the magnitude of the nearest-neighbor ferromagnetic Kitaev coupling K1 and the corresponding increase in the off-diagonal anisotropy Γ1, whereas the experimental Curie-Weiss temperature changes from negative to positive with the slope of +40 K/GPa. On the other hand, spin freezing persists up to at least 3.46 GPa with the almost constant freezing temperature of 5 K that does not follow the large changes in the exchange couplings and indicates the likely extrinsic origin of spin freezing. Magnetic frustration in Li2RhO3 is mainly related to the interplay between ferromagnetic K1 and antiferromagnetic Γ1, along with the weakness of the third-neighbor coupling J3 that would otherwise stabilize zigzag order. The small J3 distinguishes Li2RhO3 from other Kitaev candidates. |  |
Schilberth, F.; Kondákor, M.; Ukolov, D.; Pawbake, A.; Vasin, K.; Ercem, O.; Prodan, L.; Tsurkan, V.; Tsirlin, A. A.; Faugeras, C.; Lemmens, P.; Penc, K.; Kézsmárki, I.; Bordács, S.; Deisenhofer, J. Optical phonons as a testing ground for spin group symmetries Unpublished (2025), arXiv.2508.09793. @unpublished{schilberth_optical_2025,
title = {Optical phonons as a testing ground for spin group symmetries},
author = {F. Schilberth and M. Kondákor and D. Ukolov and A. Pawbake and K. Vasin and O. Ercem and L. Prodan and V. Tsurkan and A. A. Tsirlin and C. Faugeras and P. Lemmens and K. Penc and I. Kézsmárki and S. Bordács and J. Deisenhofer},
url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.09793},
doi = {10.48550/arXiv.2508.09793},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-08-13},
urldate = {2025-08-01},
abstract = {Lattice vibrations are highly sensitive to crystal symmetries and their changes across phase transitions. The latter can modify irreducible (co)representations and corresponding infrared and Raman selection rules of phonons. This concept is established for relativistic magnetic point groups, simultaneously transforming spatial and spin coordinates. However, in altermagnets described by non-relativistic spin groups with disjunct symmetry operations for both vector spaces, the phonon selection rules have remained unexplored. Here, we present a detailed study of the infrared- and Raman-active modes in the collinear antiferromagnet and altermagnet candidate Co2Mo3O8. Comparing to ab initio calculations accurately capturing the eigenfrequencies, we identify all expected phonon modes at room temperature and deduce their selection rules using both symmetry approaches. Importantly, we observe the change of selection rules upon antiferromagnetic ordering, agreeing with the relativistic symmetry approach, while the spin group formalism predicts no changes. Therefore, optical phonons can reveal the appropriate symmetry treatment.},
note = {arXiv.2508.09793},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {unpublished}
}
Lattice vibrations are highly sensitive to crystal symmetries and their changes across phase transitions. The latter can modify irreducible (co)representations and corresponding infrared and Raman selection rules of phonons. This concept is established for relativistic magnetic point groups, simultaneously transforming spatial and spin coordinates. However, in altermagnets described by non-relativistic spin groups with disjunct symmetry operations for both vector spaces, the phonon selection rules have remained unexplored. Here, we present a detailed study of the infrared- and Raman-active modes in the collinear antiferromagnet and altermagnet candidate Co2Mo3O8. Comparing to ab initio calculations accurately capturing the eigenfrequencies, we identify all expected phonon modes at room temperature and deduce their selection rules using both symmetry approaches. Importantly, we observe the change of selection rules upon antiferromagnetic ordering, agreeing with the relativistic symmetry approach, while the spin group formalism predicts no changes. Therefore, optical phonons can reveal the appropriate symmetry treatment. |  |
2024
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Abdeldaim, A. H.; Gretarsson, H.; Day, S. J.; Le, M. D.; Stenning, G. B. G.; Manuel, P.; Perry, R. S.; Tsirlin, A. A.; Nilsen, G. J.; Clark, L. Kitaev Interactions Through an Extended Superexchange Pathway in the jeff = 1/2 Ru3+ Honeycomb Magnet RuP3SiO11 Journal Article Nat. Commun. 15, 9778 (2024). @article{abdeldaim_kitaev_2024,
title = {Kitaev Interactions Through an Extended Superexchange Pathway in the j_{eff} = 1/2 Ru^{3+} Honeycomb Magnet RuP_{3}SiO_{11}},
author = {A. H. Abdeldaim and H. Gretarsson and S. J. Day and M. D. Le and G. B. G. Stenning and P. Manuel and R. S. Perry and A. A. Tsirlin and G. J. Nilsen and L. Clark},
doi = {10.1038/s41467-024-53900-3},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-11-15},
urldate = {2024-11-15},
journal = {Nat. Commun.},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {9778},
abstract = {Magnetic materials are composed of the simple building blocks of magnetic moments on a crystal lattice that interact via magnetic exchange. Yet from this simplicity emerges a remarkable diversity of magnetic states. Some reveal the deep quantum mechanical origins of magnetism, for example, quantum spin liquid (QSL) states in which magnetic moments remain disordered at low temperatures despite being strongly correlated through quantum entanglement. A promising theoretical model of a QSL is the Kitaev model, composed of unusual bond-dependent exchange interactions, but experimentally, this model is challenging to realise. Here we show that the material requirements for the Kitaev QSL survive an extended pseudo-edge-sharing superexchange pathway of Ru3+ octahedra within the honeycomb layers of the inorganic framework solid, RuP3SiO11. We confirm the requisite
state of Ru3+ in RuP3SiO11 and resolve the hierarchy of exchange interactions that provide experimental access to an unexplored region of the Kitaev model.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Magnetic materials are composed of the simple building blocks of magnetic moments on a crystal lattice that interact via magnetic exchange. Yet from this simplicity emerges a remarkable diversity of magnetic states. Some reveal the deep quantum mechanical origins of magnetism, for example, quantum spin liquid (QSL) states in which magnetic moments remain disordered at low temperatures despite being strongly correlated through quantum entanglement. A promising theoretical model of a QSL is the Kitaev model, composed of unusual bond-dependent exchange interactions, but experimentally, this model is challenging to realise. Here we show that the material requirements for the Kitaev QSL survive an extended pseudo-edge-sharing superexchange pathway of Ru3+ octahedra within the honeycomb layers of the inorganic framework solid, RuP3SiO11. We confirm the requisite
state of Ru3+ in RuP3SiO11 and resolve the hierarchy of exchange interactions that provide experimental access to an unexplored region of the Kitaev model. |  |
Langmann, J.; Eickerling, G.; Prodan, L.; Tsirlin, A. A.; Winkler, M.; Bordács, S.; Tsurkan, V.; Kézsmárki, I. Atomic-Scale Polar Helix in Inorganic Crystals Journal Article Chem. Mater. 36, 11180–11188 (2024). @article{langmann_atomic-scale_2024,
title = {Atomic-Scale Polar Helix in Inorganic Crystals},
author = {J. Langmann and G. Eickerling and L. Prodan and A. A. Tsirlin and M. Winkler and S. Bordács and V. Tsurkan and I. Kézsmárki},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.4c02060},
doi = {10.1021/acs.chemmater.4c02060},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-11-04},
urldate = {2024-11-01},
journal = {Chem. Mater.},
volume = {36},
number = {22},
pages = {11180–11188},
abstract = {Chiral structures, noncentrosymmetric objects with a given handedness, emerge on all scales in nature. The most well-known chiral form, the helix, has numerous materializations not only on the microscopic scale (DNA, cholesteric liquid crystals, and spin helices) but also on macroscopic and even cosmological scales. The ongoing quest for new types of chiral structures is fueled by a wide range of fascinating phenomena observed in chiral materials, such as nonreciprocal transport and optical processes, electro-optical effects, and chiral amplification and induction. Here, we report a novel route to chirality in antipolar GaTa4Se8 crystals, where the rotation of the electric polarization vector through the unit cell traces out a helix. The determination of atomic positions using X-ray diffraction combined with ab initio calculations reveals that quasi-molecular Ta4Se4 clusters distort upon a phase transition and evoke significant local electric polarization within structural layers of the unit cell. This polarization is found to rotate in 90° steps between neighboring layers, either clockwise or anticlockwise. A similar analysis performed on two archetypal chiral compounds, α-quartz and tellurium, implies that antipolar crystals with screw-axis symmetry may generally host atomic-scale polarization helices with emergent functionalities.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Chiral structures, noncentrosymmetric objects with a given handedness, emerge on all scales in nature. The most well-known chiral form, the helix, has numerous materializations not only on the microscopic scale (DNA, cholesteric liquid crystals, and spin helices) but also on macroscopic and even cosmological scales. The ongoing quest for new types of chiral structures is fueled by a wide range of fascinating phenomena observed in chiral materials, such as nonreciprocal transport and optical processes, electro-optical effects, and chiral amplification and induction. Here, we report a novel route to chirality in antipolar GaTa4Se8 crystals, where the rotation of the electric polarization vector through the unit cell traces out a helix. The determination of atomic positions using X-ray diffraction combined with ab initio calculations reveals that quasi-molecular Ta4Se4 clusters distort upon a phase transition and evoke significant local electric polarization within structural layers of the unit cell. This polarization is found to rotate in 90° steps between neighboring layers, either clockwise or anticlockwise. A similar analysis performed on two archetypal chiral compounds, α-quartz and tellurium, implies that antipolar crystals with screw-axis symmetry may generally host atomic-scale polarization helices with emergent functionalities. |  |
Shen, B.; Breitner, F.; Gegenwart, P.; Jesche, A. Strong Enhancement of Magnetic Coercivity Induced by Uniaxial Stress Journal Article Phys. Rev. Lett. 133, 186702 (2024). @article{shen_strong_2024,
title = {Strong Enhancement of Magnetic Coercivity Induced by Uniaxial Stress},
author = {B. Shen and F. Breitner and P. Gegenwart and A. Jesche},
doi = {10.1103/PhysRevLett.133.186702},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-10-28},
urldate = {2024-10-28},
journal = {Phys. Rev. Lett.},
volume = {133},
number = {18},
pages = {186702},
abstract = {The performance of permanent magnets is intricately tied to their magnetic hysteresis loop. In this study, we investigate the heavy-fermion ferromagnet CeAgSb2 through magnetization measurements under uniaxial stress. We observe a 2400% increase in magnetic coercivity with just a modest stress of approximately 1 kbar. This effect persists even after pressure release, attributable to stress-induced defects that efficiently pin domain walls. Other magnetic properties such as ordering temperature and saturation moment exhibit only weak pressure dependencies and display full reversibility. Our findings offer a promising route for increasing coercive field strength and enhancing the energy product in ferromagnetic materials and are potentially applicable to a broad spectrum of commercial or emerging magnetic applications.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The performance of permanent magnets is intricately tied to their magnetic hysteresis loop. In this study, we investigate the heavy-fermion ferromagnet CeAgSb2 through magnetization measurements under uniaxial stress. We observe a 2400% increase in magnetic coercivity with just a modest stress of approximately 1 kbar. This effect persists even after pressure release, attributable to stress-induced defects that efficiently pin domain walls. Other magnetic properties such as ordering temperature and saturation moment exhibit only weak pressure dependencies and display full reversibility. Our findings offer a promising route for increasing coercive field strength and enhancing the energy product in ferromagnetic materials and are potentially applicable to a broad spectrum of commercial or emerging magnetic applications. |  |
Mukharjee, P. K.; Shen, B.; Erdmann, S.; Jesche, A.; Kaiser, J.; Baral, P. R.; Zaharko, O.; Gegenwart, P.; Tsirlin, A. A. Intermediate field-induced phase of the honeycomb magnet BaCo2(AsO4)2 Journal Article Phys. Rev. B 110, L140407 (2024). @article{mukharjee_intermediate_2024,
title = {Intermediate field-induced phase of the honeycomb magnet BaCo_{2}(AsO_{4})_{2}},
author = {P. K. Mukharjee and B. Shen and S. Erdmann and A. Jesche and J. Kaiser and P. R. Baral and O. Zaharko and P. Gegenwart and A. A. Tsirlin},
doi = {10.1103/PhysRevB.110.L140407},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-10-21},
urldate = {2024-10-21},
journal = {Phys. Rev. B},
volume = {110},
number = {14},
pages = {L140407},
abstract = {We use magnetometry, calorimetry, and high-resolution capacitive dilatometry, as well as single-crystal neutron diffraction to explore the temperature-field phase diagram of the anisotropic honeycomb magnet BaCo2(AsO4)2. Our data reveal four distinct ordered states observed for in-plane magnetic fields. Of particular interest is the narrow region between 0.51 and 0.54 T that separates the up-up-down order from the fully polarized state and coincides with the field range where signatures of the spin-liquid behavior have been reported. We show that magnetic Bragg peaks persist in this intermediate phase, thus ruling out its spin-liquid nature. However, the simultaneous nonmonotonic evolution of nuclear Bragg peaks suggests the involvement of the lattice, witnessed also in other regions of the phase diagram where large changes in the sample length are observed upon entering the magnetically ordered states. Our data highlight the importance of lattice effects in BaCo2(AsO4)2.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
We use magnetometry, calorimetry, and high-resolution capacitive dilatometry, as well as single-crystal neutron diffraction to explore the temperature-field phase diagram of the anisotropic honeycomb magnet BaCo2(AsO4)2. Our data reveal four distinct ordered states observed for in-plane magnetic fields. Of particular interest is the narrow region between 0.51 and 0.54 T that separates the up-up-down order from the fully polarized state and coincides with the field range where signatures of the spin-liquid behavior have been reported. We show that magnetic Bragg peaks persist in this intermediate phase, thus ruling out its spin-liquid nature. However, the simultaneous nonmonotonic evolution of nuclear Bragg peaks suggests the involvement of the lattice, witnessed also in other regions of the phase diagram where large changes in the sample length are observed upon entering the magnetically ordered states. Our data highlight the importance of lattice effects in BaCo2(AsO4)2. |  |
Reinhoffer, C.; Esser, S.; Esser, S.; Mashkovich, E.; Germanskiy, S.; Gegenwart, P.; Anders, F.; Loosdrecht, P. H. M.; Wang, Z. Strong Terahertz Third-Harmonic Generation by Kinetic Heavy Quasiparticles in CaRuO3 Journal Article Phys. Rev. Lett. 132, 196501 (2024). @article{reinhoffer_strong_2024,
title = {Strong Terahertz Third-Harmonic Generation by Kinetic Heavy Quasiparticles in CaRuO_{3}},
author = {C. Reinhoffer and S. Esser and S. Esser and E. Mashkovich and S. Germanskiy and P. Gegenwart and F. Anders and P. H. M. Loosdrecht and Z. Wang},
url = {https://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.196501},
doi = {10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.196501},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-05-08},
urldate = {2024-05-08},
journal = {Phys. Rev. Lett.},
volume = {132},
number = {19},
pages = {196501},
abstract = {We report on time-resolved nonlinear terahertz spectroscopy of a strongly correlated ruthenate, CaRuO_{3}, as a function of temperature, frequency, and terahertz field strength. Third-harmonic radiation for frequencies up to 2.1 THz is observed evidently at low temperatures below 80 K, where the low-frequency linear dynamical response deviates from the Drude model and a coherent heavy quasiparticle band emerges by strong correlations associated with the Hund’s coupling. Phenomenologically, by taking an experimentally observed frequency-dependent scattering rate, the deviation of the field driven kinetics from the Drude behavior is reconciled in a time-dependent Boltzmann description, which allows an attribution of the observed third-harmonic generation to the terahertz field driven nonlinear kinetics of the heavy quasiparticles.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
We report on time-resolved nonlinear terahertz spectroscopy of a strongly correlated ruthenate, CaRuO3, as a function of temperature, frequency, and terahertz field strength. Third-harmonic radiation for frequencies up to 2.1 THz is observed evidently at low temperatures below 80 K, where the low-frequency linear dynamical response deviates from the Drude model and a coherent heavy quasiparticle band emerges by strong correlations associated with the Hund’s coupling. Phenomenologically, by taking an experimentally observed frequency-dependent scattering rate, the deviation of the field driven kinetics from the Drude behavior is reconciled in a time-dependent Boltzmann description, which allows an attribution of the observed third-harmonic generation to the terahertz field driven nonlinear kinetics of the heavy quasiparticles. |  |
Solana-Madruga, E.; Mentre, O.; Tsirlin, A. A.; Huve, M.; Khalyavin, D.; Ritter, C.; Arevalo-Lopez, A. M. CoVO3 High-Pressure Polymorphs: To Order or Not to Order? Journal Article Adv. Sci. 11, 2307766 (2024). @article{solana-madruga_covo_3_2023,
title = {CoVO_{3} High-Pressure Polymorphs: To Order or Not to Order?},
author = {E. Solana-Madruga and O. Mentre and A. A. Tsirlin and M. Huve and D. Khalyavin and C. Ritter and A. M. Arevalo-Lopez},
doi = {10.1002/advs.202307766},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-03-06},
urldate = {2023-12-01},
journal = {Adv. Sci.},
volume = {11},
number = {9},
pages = {2307766},
abstract = {Materials properties are determined by their compositions and structures. In ABO(3) oxides different cation orderings lead to mainly perovskite- or corundum like derivatives with exciting physical properties. Sometimes, a material can be stabilized in more than one structural modification, providing a unique opportunity to explore structure-properties relationship. Here, CoVO3 obtained in both ilmenite-(CoVO3-I) and LiNbO3-type (CoVO3-II) polymorphs at moderate (8-12 GPa) and high pressures (22 GPa), respectively are presented. Their distinctive cation distributions affect drastically the magnetic properties as CoVO3-II shows a cluster-glass behavior while CoVO3-I hosts a honeycomb zigzag magnetic structure in the cobalt network. First principles calculations show that the influence of vanadium is crucial for CoVO3-I, although it is previously considered as non-magnetic in a dimerized spin-singlet state. Contrarily, CoVO3-II shows two independent interpenetrating antiferromagnetic Co- and ferromagnetic V-hcp sublattices, which intrinsically frustrate any possible magnetic order. CoVO3-II is also remarkable as the first oxide crystallizing with the LiNbO3-type structure where both metals contain free d electrons. CoVO3 polymorphs pinpoint therefore as well to a much broader phase field of high-pressure A-site Cobaltites.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Materials properties are determined by their compositions and structures. In ABO(3) oxides different cation orderings lead to mainly perovskite- or corundum like derivatives with exciting physical properties. Sometimes, a material can be stabilized in more than one structural modification, providing a unique opportunity to explore structure-properties relationship. Here, CoVO3 obtained in both ilmenite-(CoVO3-I) and LiNbO3-type (CoVO3-II) polymorphs at moderate (8-12 GPa) and high pressures (22 GPa), respectively are presented. Their distinctive cation distributions affect drastically the magnetic properties as CoVO3-II shows a cluster-glass behavior while CoVO3-I hosts a honeycomb zigzag magnetic structure in the cobalt network. First principles calculations show that the influence of vanadium is crucial for CoVO3-I, although it is previously considered as non-magnetic in a dimerized spin-singlet state. Contrarily, CoVO3-II shows two independent interpenetrating antiferromagnetic Co- and ferromagnetic V-hcp sublattices, which intrinsically frustrate any possible magnetic order. CoVO3-II is also remarkable as the first oxide crystallizing with the LiNbO3-type structure where both metals contain free d electrons. CoVO3 polymorphs pinpoint therefore as well to a much broader phase field of high-pressure A-site Cobaltites. |  |
Shen, B.; Ginga, V. A.; Arévalo-López, A. M.; Garbarino, G.; Uykur, E.; Goncalves-Faria, M.; Mukharjee, P. K.; Gegenwart, P.; Tsirlin, A. A. Magnetic vs. nonmagnetic polymorphs of RuBr3 under pressure Journal Article Phys. Rev. B 109, 224402 (2024). @article{shen_magnetic_2024,
title = {Magnetic vs. nonmagnetic polymorphs of RuBr_{3} under pressure},
author = {B. Shen and V. A. Ginga and A. M. Arévalo-López and G. Garbarino and E. Uykur and M. Goncalves-Faria and P. K. Mukharjee and P. Gegenwart and A. A. Tsirlin},
doi = {10.1103/PhysRevB.109.224402},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-03-01},
urldate = {2024-03-01},
journal = {Phys. Rev. B},
volume = {109},
number = {22},
pages = {224402},
abstract = {Pressure evolution of the crystal structure and magnetism of the honeycomb 𝛼-RuBr_3 is studied using high-pressure x-ray diffraction, magnetometry, and density-functional band-structure calculations. Hydrostatic compression transforms antiferromagnetic 𝛼-RuBr_3 (R-3) into paramagnetic 𝛼'-RuBr_3 (P-1) where short Ru-Ru bonds cause magnetism collapse above 1.3 GPa at 0 K and 2.5 GPa at 295 K. Below this critical pressure, the Ntextbackslash'eel temperature of 𝛼-RuBr_3 increases with the slope of 1.8 K/GPa. Pressure tunes 𝛼-RuBr_3 away from the Kitaev limit, whereas increased third-neighbor in-plane coupling and interlayer coupling lead to a further stabilization of the collinear zigzag state. Both 𝛼- and 𝛼'-RuBr_3 are metastable at ambient pressure, but their transformation into the thermodynamically stable 𝛽-polymorph is kinetically hindered at room temperature.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Pressure evolution of the crystal structure and magnetism of the honeycomb 𝛼-RuBr_3 is studied using high-pressure x-ray diffraction, magnetometry, and density-functional band-structure calculations. Hydrostatic compression transforms antiferromagnetic 𝛼-RuBr_3 (R-3) into paramagnetic 𝛼'-RuBr_3 (P-1) where short Ru-Ru bonds cause magnetism collapse above 1.3 GPa at 0 K and 2.5 GPa at 295 K. Below this critical pressure, the Ntextbackslash'eel temperature of 𝛼-RuBr_3 increases with the slope of 1.8 K/GPa. Pressure tunes 𝛼-RuBr_3 away from the Kitaev limit, whereas increased third-neighbor in-plane coupling and interlayer coupling lead to a further stabilization of the collinear zigzag state. Both 𝛼- and 𝛼'-RuBr_3 are metastable at ambient pressure, but their transformation into the thermodynamically stable 𝛽-polymorph is kinetically hindered at room temperature. |  |
2023
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Panther, A.; Tsirlin, A. A.; Rousochatzakis, I. Frustration relief and reorientation transition in the kagomelike dolerophanite Cu2OSO4 Journal Article Phys. Rev. B 108, 224410 (2023). @article{panther_frustration_2023,
title = {Frustration relief and reorientation transition in the kagomelike dolerophanite Cu_{2}OSO_{4}},
author = {A. Panther and A. A. Tsirlin and I. Rousochatzakis},
doi = {10.1103/PhysRevB.108.224410},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-12-01},
urldate = {2023-12-01},
journal = {Phys. Rev. B},
volume = {108},
number = {22},
pages = {224410},
abstract = {We present a theoretical study of dolerophanite Cu2OSO4, a layered kagomelike spin-21 magnetic insulator that can be described either as a system of chains coupled through dimers or as a kagome lattice where every third spin is replaced by a ferromagnetic spin dimer. Building on insights from ab initio calculations, classical numerical minimizations, and semiclassical expansions, we arrive at a minimal microscopic description that accounts for the experimental data reported so far, including the nature of the magnetic order, the reported spin length, and the observed anisotropy. The latter arises by a peculiar competition between the antisymmetric (DzyaloshinskiiMoriya) and the symmetric part of the exchange anisotropy, which gives rise to a two-step reorientation process involving two successive continuous phase transitions. In this paper, we uncover mechanisms stabilizing canted ferrimagnetic order in kagome systems and highlight strong magnetic anisotropy in the presence of dissimilar magnetic orbitals on crystallographically nonequivalent Cu sites. We also show how these anisotropy terms affect the spin-wave spectrum and how they can be tracked experimentally.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
We present a theoretical study of dolerophanite Cu2OSO4, a layered kagomelike spin-21 magnetic insulator that can be described either as a system of chains coupled through dimers or as a kagome lattice where every third spin is replaced by a ferromagnetic spin dimer. Building on insights from ab initio calculations, classical numerical minimizations, and semiclassical expansions, we arrive at a minimal microscopic description that accounts for the experimental data reported so far, including the nature of the magnetic order, the reported spin length, and the observed anisotropy. The latter arises by a peculiar competition between the antisymmetric (DzyaloshinskiiMoriya) and the symmetric part of the exchange anisotropy, which gives rise to a two-step reorientation process involving two successive continuous phase transitions. In this paper, we uncover mechanisms stabilizing canted ferrimagnetic order in kagome systems and highlight strong magnetic anisotropy in the presence of dissimilar magnetic orbitals on crystallographically nonequivalent Cu sites. We also show how these anisotropy terms affect the spin-wave spectrum and how they can be tracked experimentally. |  |
Breitner, F. A.; Kaiser, J.; Jesche, A.; Gegenwart, P. Metallic conductivity in Na-deficient structural domain walls in the spin-orbit Mott insulator Na2IrO3 Journal Article Phys. Rev. B 108, 235130 (2023). @article{breitner_metallic_2023,
title = {Metallic conductivity in Na-deficient structural domain walls in the spin-orbit Mott insulator Na_{2}IrO_{3}},
author = {F. A. Breitner and J. Kaiser and A. Jesche and P. Gegenwart},
doi = {10.1103/PhysRevB.108.235130},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-12-01},
urldate = {2023-12-01},
journal = {Phys. Rev. B},
volume = {108},
number = {23},
pages = {235130},
abstract = {Honeycomb Na2IrO3 is a prototype spin-orbit Mott insulator and Kitaev magnet. We report a combined structural and electrical resistivity study of Na2IrO3 single crystals. Laue back-scattering diffraction indicates twinning with +/- 120 degrees rotation around the c* axis while scanning electron microscopy displays nanothin lines parallel to all three b-axis orientations of twin domains. Energy dispersive x-ray analysis line scans across such domain walls indicate no change of the Ir signal intensity, i.e., intact honeycomb layers, while the Na intensity is reduced down to similar to 2/3 of its original value at the domain walls, implying significant hole doping. Utilizing focused-ion-beam microsectioning, the temperature dependence of the electrical resistance of individual domain walls is studied. It demonstrates the tuning through the metal-insulator transition into a correlated-metal ground state by increasing hole doping.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Honeycomb Na2IrO3 is a prototype spin-orbit Mott insulator and Kitaev magnet. We report a combined structural and electrical resistivity study of Na2IrO3 single crystals. Laue back-scattering diffraction indicates twinning with +/- 120 degrees rotation around the c* axis while scanning electron microscopy displays nanothin lines parallel to all three b-axis orientations of twin domains. Energy dispersive x-ray analysis line scans across such domain walls indicate no change of the Ir signal intensity, i.e., intact honeycomb layers, while the Na intensity is reduced down to similar to 2/3 of its original value at the domain walls, implying significant hole doping. Utilizing focused-ion-beam microsectioning, the temperature dependence of the electrical resistance of individual domain walls is studied. It demonstrates the tuning through the metal-insulator transition into a correlated-metal ground state by increasing hole doping. |  |