Spin Dynamics of the Spin-1/2 Kagome Lattice Antiferromagnet ZnCu3(OH)6Cl2
Abstract
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 θCW≃-300K; 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.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review Letters
- Pub Date:
- March 2007
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.107204
- arXiv:
- arXiv:cond-mat/0610539
- Bibcode:
- 2007PhRvL..98j7204H
- Keywords:
-
- 75.40.Gb;
- 75.25.+z;
- 78.70.Nx;
- Dynamic properties;
- Spin arrangements in magnetically ordered materials;
- Neutron inelastic scattering;
- Condensed Matter - Strongly Correlated Electrons
- E-Print:
- 4 pages, 3 figures