Two-Dimensional Kagome Correlations and Field Induced Order in the Ferromagnetic XY Pyrochlore Yb2Ti2O7

Neutron scattering measurements show the ferromagnetic XY pyrochlore Yb2Ti2O7 to display strong quasi-two-dimensional (2D) spin correlations at low temperature, which give way to long range order (LRO) under the application of modest magnetic fields. Rods of scattering along 111 directions due to these 2D spin correlations imply a magnetic decomposition of the cubic pyrochlore system into decoupled kagome planes. A magnetic field of approximately 0.5 T applied along the [110] direction induces a transition to a 3D LRO state characterized by long-lived, dispersive spin waves. Our measurements map out a complex low temperature-field phase diagram for this exotic pyrochlore magnet.