Comment on "Case for a U(1)pi Quantum Spin Liquid Ground State in the Dipole-Octupole Pyrochlore Ce2Zr2O7" by E. M. Smith et al., Phys. Rev. X 12, 021015 (2022)

TL;DR

This paper critiques a previous study on the magnetic state of Ce2Zr2O7, highlighting theoretical inaccuracies in the interpretation of neutron scattering data and emphasizing the importance of cerium multipole contributions.

Contribution

It provides essential corrections to the theoretical expressions used in analyzing neutron scattering data for Ce2Zr2O7, challenging prior conclusions about its quantum spin liquid state.

Findings

Previous interpretations are flawed due to missing multipole contributions.

Corrected theory includes cerium multipole effects in scattering intensities.

Reassessment of the magnetic state of Ce2Zr2O7 is necessary.

Abstract

All interpretations of extensive magnetic neutron scattering data in the cited paper are at fault [Phys. Rev. X 12, 021015]. For, the expressions for scattered intensities therein do not contain the cerium multipole whose likely contribution to the magnetic state of the pyrochlore is a principal goal of the published investigation. The Comment includes a brief look at essential corrections to the theory.