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Quantum Spin Ice Dynamics in the Dipole-Octupole...
Journal article

Quantum Spin Ice Dynamics in the Dipole-Octupole Pyrochlore Magnet Ce2Zr2O7

Abstract

Neutron scattering measurements on the pyrochlore magnet Ce_{2}Zr_{2}O_{7} reveal an unusual crystal field splitting of its lowest J=5/2 multiplet, such that its ground-state doublet is composed of m_{J}=±3/2, giving these doublets a dipole-octupole (DO) character with local Ising anisotropy. Its magnetic susceptibility shows weak antiferromagnetic correlations with θ_{CW}=-0.4(2)  K, leading to a naive expectation of an all-in, all-out ordered state at low temperatures. Instead, our low-energy inelastic neutron scattering measurements show a dynamic quantum spin ice state, with suppressed scattering near |Q|=0, and no long-range order at low temperatures. This is consistent with recent theory predicting symmetry-enriched U(1) quantum spin liquids for such DO doublets decorating the pyrochlore lattice. Finally, we show that disorder, especially oxidation of powder samples, is important in Ce_{2}Zr_{2}O_{7} and could play an important role in the low-temperature behavior of this material.

Authors

Gaudet J; Smith EM; Dudemaine J; Beare J; Buhariwalla CRC; Butch NP; Stone MB; Kolesnikov AI; Xu G; Yahne DR

Journal

Physical Review Letters, Vol. 122, No. 18,

Publisher

American Physical Society (APS)

Publication Date

May 10, 2019

DOI

10.1103/physrevlett.122.187201

ISSN

0031-9007

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