Robust spin correlations at high magnetic fields in the honeycomb iridates

Abstract

The complexity of the antiferromagnetic orders observed in the honeycomb iridates is a double-edged sword in the search for a quantum spin-liquid ground state: both attesting that the magnetic interactions provide many of the necessary ingredients, but simultaneously impeding access. As a result, focus has been drawn to the unusual magnetic orders and the hints they provide to the underlying spin correlations. However, the study of any particular broken symmetry state generally provides little clue as to the possibilities of other nearby ground states \cite{Anderson}. Here we use extreme magnetic fields to reveal the extent of the spin correlations in $\gamma$-lithium iridate. We find that a magnetic field with a small component along the magnetic easy-axis melts long-range order, revealing a bistable, strongly correlated spin state. Far from the usual destruction of antiferromagnetism via spin polarization, the correlated spin state possesses only a small fraction of the total moment, without evidence for long-range order up to the highest attainable magnetic fields (>90 T).

11 pages including references and 4 figures

References in corpus (11)

• Mott Insulators in the Strong Spin-Orbit Coupling Limit: From Heisenberg to a Quantum Compass and Kitaev Models
• On the Origin of Zigzag Magnetic Order in Iridium Oxide Na2IrO3
• Hyper-honeycomb iridate $\beta$-Li2IrO3 as a platform for Kitaev magnetism
• Evidence for a Field-induced Quantum Spin Liquid in $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$
• Quasiparticle mass enhancement approaching optimal doping in a high-Tc superconductor
• Non-coplanar and counter-rotating incommensurate magnetic order stabilized by Kitaev interactions in $\gamma$-Li2IrO3
• Unconventional magnetic order on the hyperhoneycomb Kitaev lattice in $\beta$-Li2IrO3: full solution via magnetic resonant x-ray diffraction
• Importance of anisotropic exchange interactions in honeycomb iridates. Minimal model for zigzag antiferromagnetic order in Na${}_2$IrO${}_3$
• Spiral order in the honeycomb iridate Li2IrO3
• Theory of Magnetic Phase Diagrams in Hyperhoneycomb and Harmonic-honeycomb Iridates
• Unified theory of spiral magnetism in the harmonic-honeycomb iridates α, β, γ Li2IrO3

Cited by in corpus (21)

• Kitaev quantum spin liquid - concept and materialization
• Physics of the Kitaev model: fractionalization, dynamical correlations, and material connections
• Hunting Majorana Fermions in Kitaev Magnets
• Probing $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$ Beyond Magnetic Order: Effects of Temperature and Magnetic Field
• Beyond Kitaev physics in strong spin-orbit coupled magnets
• Field-induced intertwined orders in 3D Mott-Kitaev honeycomb $\beta$-Li2IrO3
• Scale-invariant magnetic anisotropy in RuCl${}_3$ at high magnetic fields
• Resonant torsion magnetometry in anisotropic quantum materials
• Magnetic structure and excitation spectrum of the hyperhoneycomb Kitaev magnet $\beta$-Li${}_2$IrO${}_3$
• Pressure-induced collapse of spin-orbital Mott state in the hyperhoneycomb iridate $\beta$-Li${}_2$IrO${}_3$
• Magnetic field-induced evolution of intertwined orders in the Kitaev magnet $\beta$-Li${}_2$IrO${}_3$
• Spin dynamics and field-induced magnetic phase transition in the honeycomb Kitaev magnet $\alpha$-Li${}_2$IrO${}_3$
• On the saw-tooth torque in anisotropic $j_{\mathrm{eff}}=1/2$ magnets: Application to $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$
• Kitaev magnetism through the prism of lithium iridate
• Possible Intermediate Quantum Spin Liquid Phase in $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$ under High Magnetic Fields up to 100 T
• Pressure-induced structural dimerization in the hyperhoneycomb iridate $\beta$-Li${}_2$IrO${}_3$ at low temperatures
• Chiral spin-order in some purported Kitaev spin-liquid compounds
• Anisotropic temperature-field phase diagram of single-crystalline $\beta$-Li${}_2$IrO${}_3$: magnetization, specific heat, and ${}^7$Li NMR study
• Heisenberg-Kitaev Models on Hyperhoneycomb and Stripyhoneycomb Lattices: 3D-2D Equivalence of Ordered States and Phase Diagrams
• Reentrant incommensurate order and anomalous magnetic torque in the Kitaev magnet $\beta$-${\text{Li}}_2{\text{IrO}}_3$
• Unconventional magnetic field response of the hyperhoneycomb Kitaev magnet $\beta -{\text{Li}}_2{\text{IrO}}_3$