Investigating the magnetic properties of honeycomb lattice compound Ba₉Yb₂(SiO₄)₆

Topological quantum spin liquids (QSLs) are of fundamental interest due to their unique properties such as fractionalized excitations and massive quantum entanglement. In particular, candidates that realize the exactly solvable Kitaev model on a honeycomb lattice have recently been attracting much attention. Materials with magnetic rare-earth (RE) ions have strong spin-orbit coupling and specific exchange pathways when arranged in an edge-sharing honeycomb structure, making them promising Kitaev QSL candidates and motivating the search for new RE-based materials with a perfect honeycomb lattice. In our research, we successfully synthesized the RE Yb-based orthosilicate Ba₉Yb₂(SiO₄)₆, which crystallizes in a rhombohedral structure with the space group R-3 where the magnetic Yb-Yb ions form a 2D honeycomb structure in the ab-plane. Consistent with previously reported data, our measurements indicate the absence of long-range magnetic ordering down to 60 mK. In this presentation, I will discuss insights from our experimental results including magnetic and heat capacity data, as well as neutron scattering studies.