One-ninth magnetization plateau stabilized by spin entanglement in a kagome antiferromagnet

TL;DR

This study demonstrates the experimental realization of a 1/9 magnetization plateau in a kagome antiferromagnet, revealing fractionalized spin excitations and quantum entanglement effects in a real material.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence for a 1/9 magnetization plateau and fractionalized spinon excitations in a kagome antiferromagnet, advancing understanding of quantum entangled states.

Findings

Observation of a 1/9 magnetization plateau.

Evidence for fractionalized spinon excitations.

YCu3(OD)6+xBr3-x as a model for quantum entangled states.

Abstract

The spin-1/2 antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model on a Kagome lattice is geometrically frustrated, which is expected to promote the formation of many-body quantum entangled states. The most sought-after among these is the quantum spin liquid phase, but magnetic analogs of liquid, solid, and supersolid phases may also occur, producing fractional plateaus in the magnetization. Here, we investigate the experimental realization of these predicted phases in the Kagome material YCu3(OD)6+xBr3-x (x=0.5). By combining thermodynamic and Raman spectroscopic techniques, we provide evidence for fractionalized spinon excitations and observe the emergence of a 1/9 magnetization plateau. These observations establish YCu3(OD)6+xBr3-x as a model material for exploring the 1/9 plateau phase.