Quantum paramagnetism in the hyperhoneycomb Kitaev magnet $\beta$-ZnIrO$_3$

TL;DR

This study synthesizes and investigates the hyperhoneycomb iridate $eta$-ZnIrO$_3$, revealing potential quantum spin liquid behavior with gapless excitations and robustness against chemical disorder, suggesting a new mechanism for protecting such states.

Contribution

It provides the first synthesis and detailed magnetic and thermodynamic analysis of $eta$-ZnIrO$_3$, highlighting its potential as a 3D Kitaev quantum spin liquid with unique disorder resilience.

Findings

No long-range magnetic order down to 2 K

Evidence of gapless excitations from heat capacity

Dominant Kitaev interaction indicated by positive Curie-Weiss temperature

Abstract

A polycrystalline sample of the hyperhoneycomb iridate $\beta$-ZnIrO$_3$ was synthesized via a topochemical reaction, and its structural, magnetic, and thermodynamic properties were investigated. The magnetization and heat capacity data show the absence of long-range magnetic order at least down to 2 K. A positive Curie-Weiss temperature $\theta_W \sim 45$ K probed by the temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility indicates that a Kitaev interaction is dominant. These observations suggest that a quantum spin liquid may have been realized. Furthermore, the observation of linear temperature-dependent contribution to the heat capacity with no magnetic field effect evidences gapless excitation. These facts are surprisingly contrary to the chemical disorder evidenced by the crystallographic analysis. By discussing the differences in the size effect of Z$_2$-fluxes in 2D and 3D Kitaev magnets, we propose that there is a hidden mechanism to protect the quantum spin liquid state from chemical disorder.