Novel Dipole-Lattice coupling in the Quantum-Spin-Liquid Material $\kappa$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$Cu$_2$(CN)$_3

• Main Authors: Liebman, Jesse, Miyagawa, Kazuya, Kanoda, Kazushi, Drichko, Natalia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 05.03.2024
• Subjects: Physics - Other Condensed Matter; Physics - Strongly Correlated Electrons
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2403.02676

Phys. Rev. B 110, 165105 (2024) A family of molecular Mott insulators on triangular lattice provided a few S=1/2 triangular quantum spin liquid candidates, with $\kappa$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$Cu$_2$(CN)$_3$ being the most studied material of this group. The large number experimental works present a conflicting set of evidence, with some suggesting spin liquid behavior, while others point towards a valence bond solid with orphan spins. In this work we use Raman scattering spectroscopy to probe both local charge on molecular sites and lattice phonons as a function of temperature down to 6~K. Based on the analysis of the line shape of the BEDT-TTF charge sensitive vibration $\nu_2$ on cooling below 40 K, we suggest a development of disordered fluctuating charge disproportionation on (BEDT-TTF)$_2$ dimers of amplitude as small as 0.06$e$. The lattice phonons show strong anomalous broadening on cooling only in the (c,c) scattering channel, associated with the developing charge disproportionation. We suggest an interpretation, where the coupling of disordered charge dipoles on dimers to the lattice results in anisotropic modulation of charge transfer integrals between dimer lattice sites. Such fluctuations would result in modulation of magnetic coupling between spins which can produce fluctuating charge ordered spin-singlet pairs.