Magnetic properties of RE2O2CO3 (RE = Pr, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb) with a rare earth-bilayer of triangular lattice

TL;DR

This study synthesizes and analyzes the magnetic properties of RE2O2CO3 compounds with a rare-earth bilayer triangular lattice, revealing diverse magnetic ground states and potential quantum spin liquid behavior in Yb-based samples.

Contribution

It provides detailed magnetic characterization of RE2O2CO3 compounds with a unique bilayer structure, highlighting novel magnetic ground states and field-induced transitions.

Findings

Pr sample has a nonmagnetic ground state.

Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er show long-range magnetic order.

Yb sample exhibits short-range order and potential quantum spin liquid behavior.

Abstract

Polycrystalline samples of RE2O2CO3 (RE = Pr, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, and Yb) with a unique rare-earth bilayer of triangular lattice were synthesized and studied by DC and AC magnetic susceptibility. Data reveals various magnetic ground states including (i) a nonmagnetic ground state for the Pr sample; (ii) long range magnetic ordering for the Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Er samples. Besides the Gd sample, they exhibit field-induced spin state transitions. More interestingly, the series spin state transitions in the Nd and Dy samples could be attributed to the field-induced up-up-down (UUD) spin structure. Neutron powder diffraction (NPD) measurements of the Er sample suggest a spiral spin structure below its TN; and (iii) a short-range ordering for the Yb sample. The disrupted inter-layer interaction due to the shift of Yb3+ ions within the bilayer prevents long range magnetic ordering down to 30 mK and makes it another Yb-related triangular lattice antiferromagnet that has the potential to realize a quantum spin liquid state.