The vicinity of hyper-honeycomb $\beta$-Li2IrO3 to a three-dimensional Kitaev spin liquid state

Abstract

Due to the combination of a substantial spin-orbit coupling and correlation effects, iridium oxides hold a prominent place in the search for novel quantum states of matter, including, e.g., Kitaev spin liquids and topological Weyl states. We establish the promise of the very recently synthesized hyper-honeycomb iridate $\beta$-Li2IrO3 in this regard. A detailed theoretical analysis reveals the presence of large ferromagnetic first-neighbor Kitaev interactions, while a second-neighbor antiferromagnetic Heisenberg exchange drives the ground state from ferro to zigzag order via a three-dimensional Kitaev spin liquid and an incommensurate phase. Experiment puts the system in the latter regime but the Kitaev spin liquid is very close and reachable by a slight modification of the ratio between the second- and first-neighbor couplings, for instance via strain.

9 pages, 3 figures

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• Resonant x-ray scattering reveals possible disappearance of magnetic order under hydrostatic pressure in the Kitaev candidate $\gamma$-Li${}_2$IrO${}_3$
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• Observing spin fractionalization in the Kitaev spin liquid via temperature evolution of indirect resonant inelastic x-ray scattering
• Pressure-induced structural dimerization in the hyperhoneycomb iridate $\beta$-Li${}_2$IrO${}_3$ at low temperatures
• Anisotropic temperature-field phase diagram of single-crystalline $\beta$-Li${}_2$IrO${}_3$: magnetization, specific heat, and ${}^7$Li NMR study
• Counter-rotating spiral order in three dimensional iridates: signature of hidden symmetry in Kitaev-$\Gamma$ model
• Unusual spin dynamics in the low-temperature magnetically ordered state of Ag${}_3$LiIr${}_2$O${}_6$
• Anisotropy as a diagnostic test for distinct tensor network wavefunctions of integer and half-integer spin Kitaev quantum spin liquids
• Classification and properties of quantum spin liquids on the hyperhoneycomb lattice
• Resonant inelastic x-ray scattering spectra in the hyperhoneycomb iridate $\beta$-Li${}_2$IrO${}_3$: First principles calculations
• Field evolution of low-energy excitations in the hyperhoneycomb magnet $\beta$-Li${}_2$IrO${}_3$
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• Magnetic Excitations and Interactions in the Kitaev Hyperhoneycomb Iridate $\beta$-Li${}_2$IrO${}_3$
• Large off diagonal exchange couplings and spin liquid states in ${\mathbf{C}}_3$ symmetric iridates
• Symmetry-protected topological magnons in three dimensional Kitaev materials
• Ground-State Phase Diagram of the Kitaev-Heisenberg Model on a Three-dimensional Hyperhoneycomb Lattice
• Correlation effects on the magnetization process of the Kitaev model
• Emergent Quadrupolar Order in the Spin-$1/2$ Kitaev-Heisenberg Model
• Signature of Topological Semimetal in Harmonic-honeycomb ReO3