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arXiv · 1610.02375

Spin-orbit coupling controlled $J=3/2$ electronic ground state in 5$d^{3}$ oxides

A. E. Taylor·S. Calder·R. Morrow·H. L. Feng·M. H. Upton·M. D. Lumsden·K. Yamaura·P. M. Woodward·A. D. Christianson
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Abstract

Entanglement of spin and orbital degrees of freedom drives the formation of novel quantum and topological physical states. Discovering new spin-orbit entangled ground states and emergent phases of matter requires both experimentally probing the relevant energy scales and applying suitable theoretical models. Here we report resonant inelastic x-ray scattering measurements of the transition metal oxides Ca$_3$LiOsO$_6$ and Ba$_2$YOsO$_6$. We invoke an intermediate coupling approach that incorporates both spin-orbit coupling and electron-electron interactions on an even footing and reveal the ground state of $5d^3$ based compounds, which has remained elusive in previously applied models, is a novel spin-orbit entangled J=3/2 electronic ground state. This work reveals the hidden diversity of spin-orbit controlled ground states in 5d systems and introduces a new arena in the search for spin-orbit controlled phases of matter.

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A. E. Taylor, S. Calder, R. Morrow, H. L. Feng, M. H. Upton, M. D. Lumsden, K. Yamaura, P. M. Woodward, A. D. Christianson. 2016-10-07. Spin-orbit coupling controlled $J=3/2$ electronic ground state in 5$d^{3}$ oxides. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.118.207202

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