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

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Kirill Yu Povarov - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • David E. Graf - , Florida State University (Author)
  • Andreas Hauspurg - , Chair of Physics of High Magnetic Fields, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Sergei Zherlitsyn - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Joachim Wosnitza - , Clusters of Excellence ct.qmat: Complexity and Topology in Quantum Matter, Chair of Physics of High Magnetic Fields, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Takahiro Sakurai - , Kobe University (Author)
  • Hitoshi Ohta - , Kobe University (Author)
  • Shojiro Kimura - , Tohoku University (Author)
  • Hiroyuki Nojiri - , Tohoku University (Author)
  • V. Ovidiu Garlea - , Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Author)
  • Andrey Zheludev - , ETH Zurich (Author)
  • Armando Paduan-Filho - , Universidade de São Paulo (Author)
  • Michael Nicklas - , Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids (Author)
  • Sergei A. Zvyagin - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)

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 NiCl2 ⋅ 4SC(NH2)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.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number2295
JournalNature communications
Volume15
Publication statusPublished - 14 Mar 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 38486067