Prof. Sara Haravifard

Department of Physics

Duke University

Host: Kaul

Title: Investigating real-world quantum spin liquid candidates

Abstract: The quantum spin liquid (QSL) state is an exotic state of matter featuring a high degree of entanglement and lack of long-range magnetic order in the zero-temperature limit.  Recently, Yb-based triangular lattice antiferromagnets have garnered significant interest as possible QSL candidates, however, the presence of chemical disorder in real-world compounds has made directly measuring the Hamiltonian parameters challenging. To further elucidate role of chemical disorder and to explore phase diagram of these materials, we present neutron scattering and high-resolution magnetometry measurements of YbMgGaO4 and YbZnGaO4, covering a broad range of applied magnetic field at low temperature. We use key observations of the magnetic phase crossover to motivate an exploration of the field- and parameter-dependent phase diagram, providing an expanded view of the available magnetic states in applied field. More broadly, our approach demonstrates a means of pursuing QSL candidates where Hamiltonian parameters might otherwise be obscured by disorder.