Optical probe of Heisenberg-Kitaev magnetism in αRuCl3

Luke J. Sandilands, C. H. Sohn, H. J. Park, So Yeun Kim, K. W. Kim, Jennifer A. Sears, Young-June Kim, and Tae Won Noh
Phys. Rev. B 94, 195156 – Published 30 November 2016

Abstract

We report a temperature-dependent optical spectroscopic study of the Heisenberg-Kitaev magnet αRuCl3. Our measurements reveal anomalies in the optical response near the magnetic ordering temperature. At higher temperatures, we observe a redistribution of spectral weight over a broad energy range that is associated with nearest-neighbor spin-spin correlations. This finding is consistent with highly frustrated magnetic interactions and in agreement with theoretical expectations for this class of material. The optical data also reveal significant electron-hole interaction effects, including a bound excitonic state. These results demonstrate a clear coupling between charge and spin degrees of freedom and provide insight into the properties of thermally disordered Heisenberg-Kitaev magnets.

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  • Received 16 March 2016
  • Revised 31 August 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.94.195156

©2016 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Condensed Matter, Materials & Applied Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Luke J. Sandilands1,2, C. H. Sohn1,2, H. J. Park1,2, So Yeun Kim1,2, K. W. Kim3, Jennifer A. Sears4, Young-June Kim4, and Tae Won Noh1,2

  • 1Center for Correlated Electron Systems, Institute for Basic Science, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
  • 2Department of Physics and Astronomy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
  • 3Department of Physics, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28644, Republic of Korea
  • 4Department of Physics and Center for Quantum Materials, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada M5S 1A7

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Issue

Vol. 94, Iss. 19 — 15 November 2016

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