Spin Liquid Ground State in the Frustrated $J_1$-$J_2$ Zigzag Chain System BaTb$_2$O$_4$

ORAL

Abstract

We have investigated polycrystalline samples of the zigzag chain system BaTb$_2$O$_4$ with magnetic susceptibility, heat capacity, neutron powder diffraction, and muon spin relaxation ($\mu$SR). No magnetic transitions are observed in the bulk measurements, while neutron diffraction reveals the presence of low-temperature, short-range, intrachain magnetic correlations between Tb$^{3+}$ ions. $\mu$SR indicates that these correlations are dynamic, as no signatures of static magnetism are detected by the technique down to 0.095 K. These combined findings provide strong evidence for a spin liquid ground state in BaTb$_2$O$_4$.

–

Authors

  • A.A. Aczel

    • Oak Ridge National Laboratory

  • L. Li

    • University of Tennessee

  • V.O. Garlea

    • Oak Ridge National Laboratory

  • J.-Q. Yan

    • University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory

  • F. Weickert

    • Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • V.S. Zapf

    • Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • R. Movshovich

    • Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • M. Jaime

    • Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • P.J. Baker

    • Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

  • V. Keppens

    • University of Tennessee

  • D. Mandrus

    • University of Tennessee