Magnon dispersion and dynamic spin response in three-dimensional spin models for $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$

Abstract

In the search for experimental realizations of bond-anisotropic Kitaev interactions and resulting spin-liquid phases, the layered magnet $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$ is a prime candidate. Its modelling typically involves Heisenberg, Kitaev, and symmetric off-diagonal $\Gamma$ interactions on the two-dimensional honeycomb lattice. However, recent neutron-scattering experiments point towards a sizeable magnetic interlayer coupling. Here we study three-dimensional exchange models for $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$, for both possible $R\bar{3}$ and $C2/m$ crystal structures. We discuss the symmetry constraints on the interlayer couplings, construct minimal models, and use them to compute the magnetic mode dispersion and the dynamical spin structure factor, in both the zero-field zigzag phase and the paramagnetic high-field phase. Our predictions for the interlayer mode dispersion shall guide future experiments; they also call for a reevaluation of the quantitative model parameters relevant for $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$.

12 pages, 6 figures, 1 table; v2: comparison between models with and without interlayer coupling added, details on spin-wave calculations added

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Cited by in corpus (25)

• Rethinking $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$
• Proximate ferromagnetic state in the Kitaev model material $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$
• Field-induced intermediate ordered phase and anisotropic interlayer interactions in $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$
• Thermodynamic perspective on the field-induced behavior of $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$
• Nature of Magnetic Excitations in the High-Field Phase of $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$
• Heisenberg-Kitaev model in a magnetic field: $1/S$ expansion
• Magnetism of Kitaev spin-liquid candidate material RuBr${}_3$
• Field-induced phase transitions of the Kitaev material $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$ probed by thermal expansion and magnetostriction
• Kitaev Quantum Spin Liquids
• Extraction of the interaction parameters for $\alpha -$RuCl${}_3$ from neutron data using machine learning
• Investigation of the magnetoelastic coupling anisotropy in the Kitaev material $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$
• Susceptibility anisotropy and its disorder evolution in models for Kitaev materials
• Evidence for the first-order topological phase transition in a Kitaev spin liquid candidate $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$
• Spin vestigial orders in extended Heisenberg-Kitaev models near hidden SU(2) points: Application to Na${}_2$Co${}_2$TeO${}_6$
• The Saga of $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$: Parameters, Models, and Phase Diagrams
• Testing Ising Topological Order in $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$ Under In-Plane Magnetic Fields
• Dynamics of fractionalized mean-field theories: consequences for Kitaev materials
• Extended Quantum Spin Liquid with Spinon-like Excitations in an Anisotropic Kitaev-Gamma Model
• Gauge Field Dynamics in Multilayer Kitaev Spin Liquids
• Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering from Electronic Excitations in $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$ Nanolayers
• Intermediate phases in $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$ under in-plane magnetic field via interlayer spin interactions
• Direct evidence for anisotropic magnetic interaction in $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$ from polarized inelastic neutron scattering
• Phase diagram of the J1-J2 Heisenberg second-order topological quantum magnet
• Even-odd effect in multilayer Kitaev honeycomb magnets
• Nesting instability of gapless U(1) spin liquids with spinon Fermi pockets in two dimensions