Exploring Potential Quantum Spin Liquid State in a One-Dimensional Magnetic Chain

We report a comprehensive investigation of NaYbTe2O7 through a range of physical property measurements. A detailed examination of its crystal structure uncovers the formation of one-dimensional magnetic chains of Yb3+ ions along the b-axis, with a substantial separation of approximately 6.3 ˚A between these chains. This unique arrangement of Yb-ions positions NaYbTe2O7 as an ideal candidate for exploring one-dimensional magnetism. Magnetic measurements confirm the absence of a long-range magnetic ordering down to 0.4 K; however, they indicate the emergence of magnetic correlations below 1 K. The analysis of the inverse magnetic susceptibility corroborates that the ground state can be described as a Kramers doublet, indicating Jeff = 1/2. Our findings from magnetization measurements align with the results from temperature and magnetic field-dependent heat capacity measurements, both of which suggest robust magnetic correlations among Yb3+ ions. The assertion of these magnetic correlations is further reinforced by thermal conductivity measurements, which confirm the scattering of phonons due to magnetic excitations at low temperatures. Considering the combination of low dimensionality, Jeff = 1/2, the absence of magnetic ordering down to 0.4 K, and the presence of strong magnetic correlation below 1 K, we suggest that these results are indicative of a potential quantum spin liquid (QSL) state in NaYbTe2O7.