$\mathbf{q}=\mathbf{0}$ long-range magnetic order in centennialite CaCu$_3$(OD)$_6$Cl$_2$$\cdot$0.6D$_2$O: A spin-1/2 perfect kagome antiferromagnet with $J_1$-$J_2$-$J_d$

TL;DR

This study reveals that centennialite CaCu$_3$(OH)$_6$Cl$_2ullet0.6$H$_2$O exhibits long-range magnetic order with a $ extbf{q}= extbf{0}$ structure, positioning it as a near-quantum critical $J_1$-$J_2$-$J_d$ kagome antiferromagnet.

Contribution

The paper provides detailed experimental and theoretical analysis demonstrating centennialite as a perfect kagome antiferromagnet with specific exchange interactions and proximity to a quantum critical point.

Findings

CaCu$_3$(OH)$_6$Cl$_2$·0.6H$_2$O has a $ extbf{q}= extbf{0}$ magnetic order.

The ordered magnetic moment is suppressed to 0.58 μ_B at 0.3 K.

The material is close to a quantum critical point in the $J_1$-$J_2$-$J_d$ kagome model.

Abstract

Crystal and magnetic structures of the mineral centennialite CaCu$_3$(OH)$_6$Cl$_2\cdot0.6$H$_2$O are investigated by means of synchrotron x-ray diffraction and neutron diffraction measurements complemented by density functional theory (DFT) and pseudofermion functional renormalization group (PFFRG) calculations. CaCu$_3$(OH)$_6$Cl$_2\cdot0.6$H$_2$O crystallizes in the $P\bar{3}m1$ space group and Cu$^{2+}$ ions form a geometrically perfect kagome network with antiferromagnetic $J_1$. No intersite disorder between Cu$^{2+}$ and Ca$^{2+}$ ions is detected. CaCu$_3$(OH)$_6$Cl$_2\cdot0.6$H$_2$O enters a magnetic long-range ordered state below $T_\text{N}=7.2$~K, and the $\mathbf{q}=\mathbf{0}$ magnetic structure with negative vector spin chirality is obtained. The ordered moment at 0.3~K is suppressed to $0.58(2)\mu_\text{B}$. Our DFT calculations indicate the presence of antiferromagnetic $J_2$ and ferromagnetic $J_d$ superexchange couplings of a strength which places the system at the crossroads of three magnetic orders (at the classical level) and a spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ PFFRG analysis shows a dominance of $\mathbf{q}=\mathbf{0}$ type magnetic correlations, consistent with and indicating proximity to the observed $\mathbf{q}=\mathbf{0}$ spin structure. The results suggest that this material is located close to a quantum critical point and is a good realization of a $J_1$-$J_2$-$J_d$ kagome antiferromagnet.