Exploring potential quantum spin liquid state in a quasi-one-dimensional magnetic chain
Exploring potential quantum spin liquid state in a quasi-one-dimensional magnetic chain
This paper presents a comprehensive investigation of NaYbTe2O7 through a range of physical property measurements. A detailed examination of its crystal structure uncovers the formation of quasi-one-dimensional magnetic chains of Yb3+ ions along the 𝑏 axis, with a substantial separation of approximately 6.3 Å between these chains. This unique arrangement of Yb ions positions NaYbTe2O7 as an ideal candidate for exploring one-dimensional magnetism. Magnetic measurements confirm the absence of a long-range magnetic ordering down to 0.4 K; however, they indicate the emergence of magnetic correlations below 1 K. The analysis of the inverse magnetic susceptibility corroborates that the ground state can be described as a Kramers doublet, indicating 𝐽eff=1/2. Our findings from magnetization measurements align with the results from temperature and magnetic field-dependent heat capacity measurements, both of which suggest robust magnetic correlations among Yb3+ ions. Moreover, heat capacity measurements reveal no long-range magnetic ordering down to 0.285 K. The assertion of these magnetic correlations is further reinforced by thermal conductivity measurements, which confirm the scattering of phonons due to magnetic excitations at low temperatures. Considering the combination of low dimensionality, 𝐽eff=1/2, the absence of magnetic ordering down to 0.285 K, and the presence of strong magnetic correlation below 1 K, we suggest that these results are indicative of a potential quantum spin liquid (QSL) state in NaYbTe2O7.
(a) Temperature dependence of dc magnetic susceptibility performed under ZFC and FC protocol down to 2 K. Inset shows the variation down to 0.4 K. (b) Isothermal magnetization curves measured at different temperatures along with the Brillouin fits represented by solid lines. The black dashed line accounts for the Van Vleck contribution. Inset shows the zoomed version of the fitting in the low-field region.