Quantum spin liquid in the Ising triangular-lattice antiferromagnet neodymium heptatantalate

Abstract

Disordered magnetic states known as spin liquids are of paramount importance in both fundamental and applied science. A classical state of this kind was predicted for the Ising antiferromagnetic triangular model more than half a century ago, while additional non-commuting exchange terms were proposed to induce its quantum version -- a quantum spin liquid. These predictions have not been yet confirmed experimentally. Here we report a discovery of such a state in the structurally perfect triangular-lattice antiferromagnet NdTa${}_7$O${}_{19}$. Its magnetic ground state is characterized by spin-1/2 degrees of freedom with Ising-like interactions and gives rise to low-frequency spin excitations persisting down to the lowest temperatures. Our study demonstrates the key role of strong spin-orbit coupling in stabilizing spin liquids that result from magnetic anisotropy and highlights the large family of rare-earth (RE) heptatantalates RETa${}_7$O${}_{19}$ as a novel framework for realization of these states, which represent a promising platform for quantum applications.

This is the initially submitted version of the manuscript, the considerably extended and revised published version is available online at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-021-01169-y

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