High-field quantum spin liquid transitions and angle-field phase diagram of Kitaev magnet $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$

TL;DR

This study uses advanced computational methods to map the phase diagram of $ ext{RuCl}_3$ under high magnetic fields and angles, revealing an extended gapless quantum spin liquid phase with potential for experimental observation.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed phase diagram of $ ext{RuCl}_3$ under high magnetic fields and angles using the $K$-$J$-$ extGamma$-$ extGamma'$ model and exponential tensor renormalization group.

Findings

Identification of an extended gapless QSL phase in the angle-field phase diagram.

Thermodynamic responses confirm the gapless nature of the field-induced QSL.

Guidance for future high-field experiments on $ ext{RuCl}_3$ and similar materials.

Abstract

The pursuit of quantum spin liquid (QSL) in the Kitaev honeycomb magnets has drawn intensive attention recently. In particular, $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$ has been widely recognized as a promising candidate for the Kitaev QSL. Although the compound exhibits an antiferromagnetic order under zero field, it is believed to be endowed with fractionalized excitations, and can be driven to the QSL phase by magnetic fields. Here, based on a realistic $K$-$J$-$\Gamma$-$\Gamma'$ model for $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$ [1], we exploit the exponential tensor renormalization group approach to explore the phase diagram of the compound under magnetic fields. We calculate the thermodynamic quantities, including the specific heat, Gr\"uneisen parameter, magnetic torque, and the magnetotropic susceptibility, etc, under a magnetic field with a tilting angle $\theta$ to the $c^*$-axis perpendicular to the honeycomb plane. We find an extended QSL in the angle-field phase diagram determined with thermodynamic responses. The gapless nature of such field-induced QSL is identified from the specific heat and entropy data computed down to very low temperatures. The present study provides guidance for future high-field experiments for the QSL in $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$ and other candidate Kitaev magnets.