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arXiv · 1901.07760

Field-induced instability of the quantum-spin-liquid ground state in the $J_{\rm eff}=\frac{1}{2}$ triangular-lattice compound NaYbO$_2$

Abstract

Polycrystalline samples of NaYbO$_2$ are investigated by bulk magnetization and specific-heat measurements, as well as by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron spin resonance (ESR) as local probes. No signatures of long-range magnetic order are found down to 0.3~K, evidencing a highly frustrated spin-liquid-like ground state in zero field. Above 2\,T, signatures of magnetic order are observed in thermodynamic measurements, suggesting the possibility of a field-induced quantum phase transition. The $^{23}$Na NMR relaxation rates reveal the absence of magnetic order and persistent fluctuations down to 0.3~K at very low fields and confirm the bulk magnetic order above 2~T. The $H$-$T$ phase diagram is obtained and discussed along with the existing theoretical concepts for layered spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ triangular-lattice antiferromagnets

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K. M. Ranjith, D. Dmytriieva, S. Khim, J. Sichelschmidt, S. Luther, D. Ehlers, H. Yasuoka, J. Wosnitza, A. A. Tsirlin, H. Kühne, M. Baenitz. 2019-05-01. Field-induced instability of the quantum-spin-liquid ground state in the $J_{\rm eff}=\frac{1}{2}$ triangular-lattice compound NaYbO$_2$. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.99.180401

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