Valence bond phases of herbertsmithite and related copper kagome materials

ORAL

Abstract

Recent evidence from magnetic torque, electron spin resonance, and second harmonic generation indicate that the prototypical quantum spin liquid candidate, herbertsmithite, has a symmetry lower than its x-ray refined trigonal space group. Here, we consider known and possible distortions of this mineral class, along with related copper kagome oxides and fluorides, relate these to possible valence bond patterns, and comment on their relevance to the physics of these interesting materials.

*Work by MRN is supported by the US DOE, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences, Materials Science and Engineering Division. NJL acknowledges support from the Institute for Quantum Information and Matter Postdoctoral Fellowship.

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Presenters

  • Michael Norman

    • Argonne Natl Lab
    • Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory
    • Materials Science Division, Argonne National Lab

Authors

  • Michael Norman

    • Argonne Natl Lab
    • Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory
    • Materials Science Division, Argonne National Lab

  • Nicholas Laurita

    • Institute for Quantum Information and Matter, California Institute of Technology
    • Department of Physics, California Institute of Technology

  • David Hsieh

    • Institute for Quantum Information and Matter, California Institute of Technology
    • Caltech
    • Department of Physics, California Institute of Technology