Magnetism in Kitaev Quantum Spin Liquid Candidate RuBr${}_3$

Abstract

The present studies show that long-range magnetic order takes place in RuBr${}_3$ at $\approx$ 34 K. The observations of clear oscillations in the muon time spectra demonstrate the presence of well-defined internal fields at the muon sites. The magnetic ordering appears to be very robust and static suggesting a more conventional nature of magnetic ordering in the RuBr${}_3$ system at zero field. Present investigations prove that in RuBr${}_3$ the Kitaev interactions are likely to be weakened at zero field in comparison to the $\hat{I}\pm$-RuCl${}_3$ system. This proves that it is possible to tune the Kitaev interactions by replacing Cl with heavier halogen elements such as Br.

5 pages, 5 figures