Uniaxial strain tuning of the magnetic transition in α-RuCl<sub>3</sub>

ORAL

Abstract

α-RuCl3 is a quasi-two-dimensional material that has gained interest in recent years as a Kitaev quantum spin liquid (KQSL) candidate. Although α-RuCl3 exhibits antiferromagnetic order, and therefore is not a true KQSL, theoretical and experimental results suggest that uniaxial and hydrostatic stress can suppress the magnetic transition and enhance the Kitaev interaction [1, 2]. Here we report on neutron diffraction results of the magnetic transition of α-RuCl3 under uniaxial strain. We observe that the intensity of magnetic reflections associated with antiferromagnetic order is strongly suppressed with applied stress, with no significant shift in TN. We furthermore uncover additional reflections at elevated stresses, indicative of a transition to a magnetic state with lower symmetry.

References

[1] D. A. S. Kaib et al., Phys. Rev. B 103, L140402 (2021)

[2] M. He et al., J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 30, 385702 (2018)

*Work supported by the Department of Energy through the University of Minnesota Center for Quantum Materials, under Grant No. DE-SC0016371. J.Y. and S.N. were supported by the Department of Energy, Office of Science, National Quantum Information Science Research Centers, Quantum Science Center.

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Presenters

  • Issam Khayr

    • University of Minnesota Twin Cities
    • University of Minnesota

Authors

  • Issam Khayr

    • University of Minnesota Twin Cities
    • University of Minnesota

  • Luka Rogic

    • University of Zagreb

  • Sudarshan Sharma

    • University of Minnesota
    • University of Minnesota Twin Cities

  • Richard J Spieker

    • University of Minnesota

  • Songxue Chi

    • Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    • Oak Ridge National Laboratory

  • Arianna Minelli

    • Oak Ridge National Laboratory

  • Jiaqiang Yan

    • Oak Ridge National Laboratory

  • Stephen Nagler

    • University of Tennessee
    • Oak Ridge National Laboratory

  • Damjan Pelc

    • University of Zagreb

  • Martin Greven

    • University of Minnesota
    • University of Minnesota Twin Cities