Magnetic order in $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$: a honeycomb lattice quantum magnet with strong spin-orbit coupling

TL;DR

This paper investigates the magnetic properties of single crystal $ extalpha$-RuCl$_3$, revealing zigzag magnetic order consistent with Kitaev-Heisenberg model predictions, and identifies a metamagnetic transition and characteristic thermodynamic features.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence of zigzag magnetic order in $ extalpha$-RuCl$_3$ and details its magnetic and thermodynamic behavior, supporting theoretical models of honeycomb lattice quantum magnets.

Findings

Observation of a sharp peak at 7 K in specific heat

Detection of a metamagnetic transition between 5 T and 10 T

Confirmation of zigzag magnetic order via neutron diffraction

Abstract

We report magnetic and thermodynamic properties of single crystal $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$, in which the Ru$^{3+}$ ($4d^5$) ion is in its low spin state and forms a honeycomb lattice. Two features are observed in both magnetic susceptibility and specific heat data; a sharp peak at 7~K and a broad hump near 10-15K. In addition, we observe a metamagnetic transition between 5~T and 10~T. Our neutron diffraction study of single crystal samples confirms that the low temperature peak in the specific heat is associated with a magnetic order with unit cell doubling along the honeycomb (100) direction, which is consistent with zigzag order, one of the types of magnetic order predicted within the framework of the Kitaev-Heisenberg model.