Crystal Structure Reconstruction on Surface of Quantum Spin Liquid Candidate: α-RuCl<sub>3 </sub>

ORAL

Abstract

α-RuCl3, has emerged as a novel 2D material that potentially hosts quantum spin liquid state (QSL). Recent experimental reports of neutron scattering and thermal quantum Hall effect have provided indirect but promising evidence for the existence of QSL in α-RuCl3. However, numerous controversies still remain in the current literatures about α-RuCl3, such as its crystal structure and electronic structure. We used a unique surface sensitive technique, low energy electron microscopy (LEEM), combined with dynamical selected-area low energy electron diffraction (μLEED-IV) to study the 2D crystal structure of α-RuCl3. We found an unexpected diffraction pattern on the surface of α-RuCl3, which indicates intrinsic surface reconstruction that forms a superlattice. The superlattice most likely originates from the slight shift of atomic positions which results in unit cell distortion. The existence of a surface superlattice may significantly impacts the electronic and magnetic properties which in turn would potentially influence the existence of QSL in α-RuCl3.

*This research used resources of the Center for Functional Nanomaterials and National Synchrotron Light Source II, which are U.S. DOE Office of Science Facilities, at Brookhaven National Laboratory under Contract No. DE-SC0012704.

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Presenters

  • Zhongwei Dai

    • Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Lab

Authors

  • Zhongwei Dai

    • Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Lab

  • Jie-Xiang Yu

    • University of New Hampshire
    • Physics, University of New Hampshire
    • Department of Physics, University of New Hampshire

  • Boyi Zhou

    • Washington University, St. Louis
    • Department of Physics, Washington University in St. Louis

  • Samuel Tenney

    • Brookhaven National Lab
    • Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Lab

  • Paige Lampen-Kelley

    • Material Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee
    • Materials Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee
    • Materials Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

  • David George Mandrus

    • Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA
    • University of Tennessee-Knoxville
    • Oak Ridge National Lab
    • Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee
    • University of Tennessee (Knoxville, USA)
    • Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee Knoxville
    • Department of Material Science & Engineering, University of Tennessee
    • Material Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee
    • Materials Science and Technology, Materials Science and Technology
    • University of Tennessee, Knoxville
    • Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Tennessee
    • Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Tennessee
    • Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    • Department of Material Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee

  • Erik Henriksen

    • Department of Physics, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Dr, St. Louis, MO 63130
    • Washington University in St. Louis
    • Washington Univ
    • Physics, Washington University, St. Louis
    • Washington University, St. Louis
    • Department of Physics, Washington University in St. Louis

  • Jerzy T. Sadowski

    • Brookhaven National Lab
    • Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory
    • Center for Functional Nanomaterials
    • Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Lab

  • Karsten Pohl

    • Department of Physics, University of New Hampshire

  • Jiadong Zang

    • Department of Physics, University of New Hampshire
    • University of New Hampshire
    • Department of Physics and Materials Science Program, University of New Hampshire
    • Physics, University of New Hampshire