Crystal field Hamiltonian and anisotropy in KErSe2 and CsErSe2

Abstract

We use neutron scattering and bulk property measurements to determine the single-ion crystal-field Hamiltonians of delafossites $\mathrm{KErS}{\mathrm{e}}_2$ and $\mathrm{CsErS}{\mathrm{e}}_2$. These two systems contains planar equilateral triangular Er lattices arranged in two stacking variants: rhombohedral (for K) or hexagonal (Cs). Our analysis shows that regardless the stacking order both compound exhibit an easy-plane ground state doublet with large $J_z=1/2$ terms and the potential for significant quantum effects, making them candidates for quantum spin liquid or other exotic ground states.

5 pages 4 figures in main text, with 4 pages and 5 figures in appendices