Spin dynamics of the spin-1/2 kagome lattice antiferromagnet ZnCu3(OH)6Cl2

We have performed thermodynamic and neutron scattering measurements on the S=1/2 kagomé lattice antiferromagnet ZnCu3(OH)6Cl2. The susceptibility indicates a Curie-Weiss temperature of theta CW approximately = -300 K; however, no magnetic order is observed down to 50 mK. Inelastic neutron scattering...

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Published inPhysical review letters Vol. 98; no. 10; p. 107204
Main Authors Helton, J S, Matan, K, Shores, M P, Nytko, E A, Bartlett, B M, Yoshida, Y, Takano, Y, Suslov, A, Qiu, Y, Chung, J-H, Nocera, D G, Lee, Y S
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 09.03.2007
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Summary:We have performed thermodynamic and neutron scattering measurements on the S=1/2 kagomé lattice antiferromagnet ZnCu3(OH)6Cl2. The susceptibility indicates a Curie-Weiss temperature of theta CW approximately = -300 K; however, no magnetic order is observed down to 50 mK. Inelastic neutron scattering reveals a spectrum of low energy spin excitations with no observable gap down to 0.1 meV. The specific heat at low-T follows a power law temperature dependence. These results suggest that an unusual spin liquid state with essentially gapless excitations is realized in this kagomé lattice system.
ISSN:0031-9007
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.107204