Nanoscale freezing of the 2D spin liquid Pr$_{3}$Ga$_{5}$SiO$_{14}$ Journal Articles uri icon

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abstract

  • In this letter, we report on the single crystal growth and physical characterization of the distorted kagom\'{e} system Pr$_3$Ga$_5$SiO$_{14}$. It is found that at zero magnetic field the system shows no magnetic order down to 0.035 K and exhibits a $T^{2}$ behavior for the specific heat at low temperatures, indicative of a gapless 2D spin liquid state. Application of an applied field induces nanoscale islands of ordered spins, with a concomitant reduction of the $T^{2}$ specific heat term. This state could be a possible ferro-spin nematic ordering stabilized out of an unusual spin liquid state.

authors

  • Zhou, HD
  • Wiebe, Christopher
  • Balicas, L
  • Jo, Y-J
  • Takano, Y
  • Case, MJ
  • Qiu, Y
  • Copley, JRD
  • Gardner, JS

publication date

  • August 20, 2008