Robust singlet dimers with fragile ordering in two-dimensional honeycomb lattice of Li${}_2$RuO${}_3$

Abstract

When an electronic system has strong correlations and a large spin-orbit interaction, it often exhibits a plethora of mutually competing quantum phases. How a particular quantum ground state is selected out of several possibilities is a very interesting question. However, equally fascinating is how such a quantum entangled state breaks up due to perturbation. This important question has relevance in very diverse fields of science from strongly correlated electron physics to quantum information. Here we report that a quantum entangled dimerized state or valence bond crystal (VBC) phase of Li2RuO3 shows nontrivial doping dependence as we perturb the Ru honeycomb lattice by replacing Ru with Li. Through extensive experimental studies, we demonstrate that the VBC phase melts into a valence bond liquid phase of the RVB (resonating valence bond) type. This system offers an interesting playground where one can test and refine our current understanding of the quantum competing phases in a single compound.

arXiv commentScientific Reports (in press)

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• Cluster magnetism of Ba4NbMn3O12: localized electrons or molecular orbitals?
• Coexistence of metallic and nonmetallic properties in the pyrochlore Lu${}_2$Rh${}_2$O${}_7$
• Spectroscopic signatures of molecular orbitals on a honeycomb lattice
• Competing spin-orbital singlet states in the 4$d^4$ honeycomb ruthenate Ag${}_3$LiRu${}_2$O${}_6$
• Evidences for the random singlet phase in a new honeycomb iridate SrIr${}_2$O${}_{6-\delta }$
• First-order magneto-structural transition in single crystals of the honeycomb lattice Ruthenate Li${}_2$RuO${}_3$
• Magnetic and electrical anisotropy with correlation and orbital effects in dimerized honeycomb ruthenate Li${}_2$RuO${}_3$
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• Effect of delithiation on the dimer transition of the honeycomb-lattice ruthenate Li${}_{2-x}$RuO${}_3$
• Dimerization in honeycomb Na2RuO3 under pressure: a DFT study
• Multipeak quasielastic light scattering and high-frequency electronic excitations in honeycomb Li${}_2$RuO${}_3$
• Soft-Chemical Synthesis, Structure Evolution, and Insulator-to-Metal Transition in a Prototypical Metal Oxide, λ-RhO${}_2$
• Revelation of Mott insulating state in layered honeycomb lattice Li${}_2$RuO${}_3$
• Doping effects on the valence bond solid of Li${}_2$RuO${}_3$ with Mn substitution
• Effect of Ti-doping on the dimer transition in Lithium Ruthenate