arXiv · 2107.10046
Nonmagnetic $J = 0$ State and Spin-Orbit Excitations in K$_{2}$RuCl$_{6}$
Abstract
Spin-orbit Mott insulators composed of $t_{2g}^4$ transition metal ions may host excitonic magnetism due to the condensation of spin-orbital $J=1$ triplons. Prior experiments suggest that the $4d$ antiferromagnet Ca$_{2}$RuO$_{4}$ embodies this notion, but a $J = 0$ nonmagnetic state as a basis of the excitonic picture remains to be confirmed. We use Ru $L_3$-edge resonant inelastic x-ray scattering to reveal archetypal $J$ multiplets with a $J=0$ ground state in the cubic compound K$_{2}$RuCl$_{6}$, which are well described within the $LS$-coupling scheme. This result highlights the critical role of unquenched orbital moments in $4d$-electron compounds and calls for investigations of quantum criticality and excitonic magnetism on various crystal lattices.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
H. Takahashi, H. Suzuki, J. Bertinshaw, S. Bette, C. Mühle, J. Nuss, R. Dinnebier, A. Yaresko, G. Khaliullin, H. Gretarsson, T. Takayama, H. Takagi, B. Keimer. 2021-07-21. Nonmagnetic $J = 0$ State and Spin-Orbit Excitations in K$_{2}$RuCl$_{6}$. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.127.227201
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.