Spin-Liquid-Like State in Pure and Mn-Doped TbInO3 with Nearly Triangular Lattice

TL;DR

This study investigates the magnetic excitation spectrum of TbInO3 and Mn-doped TbInO3, revealing evidence of a spin liquid state characterized by a broad continuum of magnetic excitations and absence of static magnetic order.

Contribution

It provides experimental neutron scattering evidence supporting a spin liquid state in TbInO3 with a nearly triangular lattice, including effects of Mn doping.

Findings

Observation of a broad, gapless magnetic excitation continuum.

No static magnetic order down to very low temperatures.

Magnetic fluctuations confined to the triangular plane.

Abstract

Inelastic neutron scattering studies in single crystals of TbInO3 and TbIn0.95Mn0.05O3 with nearly-triangular antiferromagnetic lattice are reported. At low energies, a broad and apparently gapless continuum of magnetic excitations, located at the triangular lattice (TL) Brillouin zone boundary, is observed. The data are well described by the uncorrelated nearest-neighbor valence bonds model. At higher energies, a broad excitation branch dispersing from the TL zone boundary is observed. No signs of static magnetic order are found down to the temperatures two orders of magnitude smaller than the effective interaction energy. The fluctuating magnetic moment exceeds two thirds of the Tb3+ free-ion value and is confined to the TL plane. These observations are consistent with a TL-based spin liquid state in TbInO3.