Pressure-tuned quantum criticality in the large-$D$ antiferromagnet DTN

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that applying pressure to the quantum antiferromagnet DTN induces a quantum phase transition into a magnetically ordered state without lattice distortion, providing a platform to explore $z=1$ quantum criticality.

Contribution

The paper provides experimental evidence of pressure-induced quantum criticality in DTN, supported by high-frequency susceptibility, ultrasound, ESR, neutron diffraction, and DMRG calculations, highlighting DTN as an ideal system for $z=1$ quantum critical phenomena.

Findings

Pressure of 4.2 kbar closes the spin gap in DTN.

No lattice distortion occurs at the transition, preserving high spin symmetry.

DMRG calculations match experimental critical field evolution.

Abstract

Strongly correlated spin systems can be driven to quantum critical points via various routes. In particular, gapped quantum antiferromagnets can undergo phase transitions into a magnetically ordered state with applied pressure or magnetic field, acting as tuning parameters. These transitions are characterized by $z=1$ or $z=2$ dynamical critical exponents, determined by the linear and quadratic low-energy dispersion of spin excitations, respectively. Employing high-frequency susceptibility and ultrasound techniques, we demonstrate that the tetragonal easy-plane quantum antiferromagnet NiCl$_{2}\cdot$4SC(NH$_2$)$_2$ (aka DTN) undergoes a spin-gap closure transition at about $4.2$ kbar, resulting in a pressure-induced magnetic ordering. The studies are complemented by high-pressure-electron spin-resonance measurements confirming the proposed scenario. Powder neutron diffraction measurements revealed that no lattice distortion occurs at this pressure and the high spin symmetry is preserved, establishing DTN as a perfect platform to investigate $z=1$ quantum critical phenomena. The experimental observations are supported by DMRG calculations, allowing us to quantitatively describe the pressure-driven evolution of critical fields and spin-Hamiltonian parameters in DTN.