Disorder-driven magnetic duality in the spin-½ system ktenasite, Cu2.7Zn2.3(SO4)2(OH)6·6H2O

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Disorder in frustrated quantum systems can critically influence their magnetic ground states and drive exotic correlated behavior. In the 𝑆=½ system ktenasite, Cu2.7⁢Zn2.3⁢(SO4)2⁢(OH)6·6⁢H2⁡O, we show that structural disorder drives an unexpected dimensional crossover and stabilizes a rare coexistence of distinct magnetic states. Neutron diffraction reveals significant Cu/Zn mixing at the Cu2 site, which tunes the Cu2+ sublattice from a two-dimensional scalene-distorted triangular lattice into a one-dimensional spin-chain network. Magnetic susceptibility, neutron diffraction, ac susceptibility, and specific heat measurements collectively indicate magnetic duality: a coexistence of incommensurate long-range magnetic order below 𝑇N=4 K and a cluster spin-glass state with 𝑇f=3.28 K at 𝜈=10 Hz. Our findings highlight ktenasite as a rare platform where structural disorder tunes the effective dimensionality and stabilizes coexisting ordered and glassy magnetic phases, offering a unique opportunity to explore the interplay of frustration, disorder, and dimensional crossover in quantum magnets.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number094416
Number of pages14
JournalPhysical Review B
Volume113
Issue number9
Publication statusPublished - 9 Mar 2026
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0001-7523-9313/work/209580288

Keywords

Research priority areas of TU Dresden

DFG Classification of Subject Areas according to Review Boards

Subject groups, research areas, subject areas according to Destatis