Abstract
The complex interplay of spin frustration and quantum fluctuations in low-dimensional quantum materials leads to a variety of intriguing phenomena. This research focuses on a detailed analysis of the magnetic behavior exhibited by NdZnPO, a bilayer spin-1/2 triangular lattice antiferromagnet. The investigation employs magnetization, specific heat, and powder neutron scattering measurements. At zero field, a long-range magnetic order is observed at TN=1.64K. Powder neutron diffraction experiments show the Ising-like magnetic moments along the c axis, revealing a stripelike magnetic structure with magnetic propagation vector (1/2,0,1/2). Application of a magnetic field along the c axis suppresses the antiferromagnetic order, leading to a fully polarized ferromagnetic state above Bc=4.5T. This transition is accompanied by notable enhancements in the nuclear Schottky contribution. Moreover, the absence of spin frustration and expected field-induced plateaulike phases are remarkable observations. Detailed calculations of magnetic dipolar interactions revealed complex couplings reminiscent of a honeycomb lattice, suggesting the potential emergence of Kitaev-like physics within this system. This comprehensive study of the magnetic properties of NdZnPO highlights unresolved intricacies, underscoring the imperative for further exploration to unveil the underlying governing mechanisms.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 054443 |
| Journal | Physical Review B |
| Volume | 110 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 1 2024 |
Funding
We thank S. Guo for help with the single crystal growth, N. Andriushin for assisting in the neutron scattering experiment, and Z. Wang for useful discussions. The research was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2021YFA1400400), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants No. 12134020, No. 12374146, No. 12104255, No. 12005243, and No. 11974157), the Stable Support Plan Program of Shenzhen Natural Science Fund (Grant No. 20231121101954003), the Open Fund of the China Spallation Neutron Source Songshan Lake Science City (Grant No. KFKT2023A06), the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (Grants No. 2021B1515120015, No. 2022B1515120014, No. 2023B0303000003, and No. 2023B1515120060), the Shenzhen Fundamental Research Program (Grant No. JCYJ20220818100405013), and the Pearl River Talent Recruitment Program (Grant No. 2019QN01X716). Part of this work was based on experiments performed at the Swiss spallation neutron source SINQ, Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland.