Revisiting spin ice physics in the ferromagnetic Ising pyrochlore Pr$_2$Sn$_2$O$_7$

ORAL

Abstract

Pyrochlore materials are characterized by their hallmark network of corner-sharing rare-earth tetrahedra, which can produce a wide array of complex magnetic ground states. Ferromagnetic Ising pyrochlores often obey the ``two-in-two-out" spin ice rules, which can lead to a highly-degenerate spin structure. Large moment systems, such as Ho$_2$Ti$_2$O$_7$ and Dy$_2$Ti$_2$O$_7$, tend to host a classical spin ice state with low-temperature spin freezing and emergent magnetic monopoles. Systems with smaller effective moments, such as Pr$^{3+}$-based pyrochlores, have been proposed as excellent candidates for hosting a ``quantum spin ice" characterized by entanglement and a slew of exotic quasiparticle excitations. However, experimental evidence for a quantum spin ice state has remained elusive. Here, we show that the low-temperature magnetic properties of Pr$_2$Sn$_2$O$_7$ satisfy several important criteria for continued consideration as a quantum spin ice. We find that Pr$_2$Sn$_2$O$_7$ exhibits a partially spin-frozen ground state with a large volume fraction of dynamic magnetism. Our comprehensive bulk characterization and neutron scattering measurements enable us to map out the magnetic field-temperature phase diagram, producing results consistent with expectations for a ferromagnetic Ising pyrochlore. We identify key hallmarks of spin ice physics, and show that application of small magnetic fields ($mu_0 H_{ ext{c}} sim$~0.75~T) suppresses the spin ice state and induces a long-range ordered magnetic structure. Together, our work clarifies the current state of Pr$_2$Sn$_2$O$_7$ and encourages future studies aimed at exploring the potential for a quantum spin ice ground state in this system.

Presenters

  • Adam A Aczel

    Oak Ridge Nat'l Lab

Authors

  • Adam A Aczel

    Oak Ridge Nat'l Lab

  • Paul M Sarte

    University of California, Santa Barbara

  • Brenden R Ortiz

    Oak Ridge National Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara, Oak Ridge National Lab

  • Ganesh Pokharel

    University of California, Santa Barbara

  • Steven J Gomez Alvarado

    University of California, Santa Barbara

  • Andrew F May

    Oak Ridge National Lab

  • Stuart Calder

    Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Lab

  • Lucile Mangin-Thro

    Institut Laue-Langevin, ILL

  • Andrew R Wildes

    Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), ILL

  • Haidong Zhou

    University of Tennessee

  • Gabriele Sala

    Oak Ridge National Laboratory

  • Christopher R Wiebe

    Univ of Edinburgh

  • Stephen D Wilson

    University of California, Santa Barbara

  • Joseph Paddison

    Oak Ridge National Lab