# Crystal field splitting, local anisotropy, and low energy excitations in the quantum magnet YbCl$_3$

## TL;DR

This study investigates YbCl3's magnetic properties, revealing a well-isolated ground state doublet with easy-plane anisotropy and low-energy excitations indicative of reduced-dimensional antiferromagnetic correlations.

## Contribution

The paper determines the crystal field Hamiltonian and characterizes the low-energy magnetic excitations in YbCl3, providing insights into its anisotropic spin-1/2 behavior.

## Key findings

- Ground state doublet is well isolated from other levels.
- YbCl3 exhibits local easy-plane anisotropy.
- Low energy excitations suggest reduced dimensionality of antiferromagnetic correlations.

## Abstract

We study the correlated quantum magnet, YbCl$_3$, with neutron scattering, magnetic susceptibility, and heat capacity measurements. The crystal field Hamiltonian is determined through simultaneous refinements of the inelastic neutron scattering and magnetization data. The ground state doublet is well isolated from the other crystal field levels and results in an effective spin-1/2 system with local easy plane anisotropy at low temperature. Cold neutron spectroscopy shows low energy excitations that are consistent with nearest neighbor antiferromagnetic correlations of reduced dimensionality.