Hidden magnetic frustration by quantum relaxation in anisotropic Nd-langasite

TL;DR

This study investigates the magnetic properties of Nd$_3$Ga$_5$SiO$_{14}$, revealing quantum relaxation processes that mask cooperative magnetic frustration in a rare-earth kagome lattice.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of the magnetic behavior of Nd-langasite, highlighting quantum relaxation effects that influence magnetic frustration.

Findings

Temperature-independent spin dynamics below 10 K.

Quantum processes dominate magnetic relaxation.

Frustration effects emerge only at very low temperatures.

Abstract

The static and dynamic magnetic properties of the Nd$_3$Ga$_5$SiO$_{14}$ compound, which appears as the first materialization of a rare-earth kagome-type lattice, were re-examined, owing to contradictory results in the previous studies. Neutron scattering, magnetization and specific heat measurements were performed and analyzed, in particular by fully taking account of the crystal electric field effects on the Nd$^{3+}$ ions. One of the novel findings is that the peculiar temperature independent spin dynamics observed below 10 K expresses single-ion quantum processes. This would short-circuit the frustration induced cooperative dynamics, which would emerge only at very low temperature.