Anisotropic Exchange within Decoupled Tetrahedra in the Quantum Breathing Pyrochlore Ba3Yb2Zn5O11

J. G. Rau, L. S. Wu, A. F. May, L. Poudel, B. Winn, V. O. Garlea, A. Huq, P. Whitfield, A. E. Taylor, M. D. Lumsden, M. J. P. Gingras, and A. D. Christianson
Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 257204 – Published 24 June 2016
PDFHTMLExport Citation

Abstract

The low energy spin excitation spectrum of the breathing pyrochlore Ba3Yb2Zn5O11 has been investigated with inelastic neutron scattering. Several nearly resolution limited modes with no observable dispersion are observed at 250 mK while, at elevated temperatures, transitions between excited levels become visible. To gain deeper insight, a theoretical model of isolated Yb3+ tetrahedra parametrized by four anisotropic exchange constants is constructed. The model reproduces the inelastic neutron scattering data, specific heat, and magnetic susceptibility with high fidelity. The fitted exchange parameters reveal a Heisenberg antiferromagnet with a very large Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. Using this model, we predict the appearance of an unusual octupolar paramagnet at low temperatures and speculate on the development of intertetrahedron correlations.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 15 January 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.116.257204

© 2016 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Condensed Matter, Materials & Applied Physics

Authors & Affiliations

J. G. Rau1,*, L. S. Wu2,†, A. F. May3, L. Poudel2,4, B. Winn2, V. O. Garlea2, A. Huq5, P. Whitfield5, A. E. Taylor2, M. D. Lumsden2, M. J. P. Gingras1,6,7, and A. D. Christianson2,4

  • 1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
  • 2Quantum Condensed Matter Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
  • 3Materials Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
  • 4Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37966, USA
  • 5Chemical and Engineering Materials Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA
  • 6Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 2Y5, Canada
  • 7Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, 180 Dundas Street West, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1Z8, Canada

  • *jeff.rau@uwaterloo.ca
  • wul1@ornl.gov

See Also

Low-energy excitations and ground-state selection in the quantum breathing pyrochlore antiferromagnet Ba3Yb2Zn5O11

T. Haku, K. Kimura, Y. Matsumoto, M. Soda, M. Sera, D. Yu, R. A. Mole, T. Takeuchi, S. Nakatsuji, Y. Kono, T. Sakakibara, L.-J. Chang, and T. Masuda
Phys. Rev. B 93, 220407(R) (2016)

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

Supplemental Material (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 116, Iss. 25 — 24 June 2016

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
CHORUS

Article Available via CHORUS

Download Accepted Manuscript
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×