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arXiv · 2605.27518

Inelastic neutron scattering of the layered Kitaev ferromagnet Li$_3$Co$_2$SbO$_6$

Abdul Basit·Richard A. Mole·Alex J. Brown·Jiatu Liu·Chris D. Ling·Stephan Rachel
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Abstract

Cobalt-based quantum magnets forming layered honeycomb arrangements have attracted much attention recently, as they are considered as a potential platform for materials with exotic Kitaev spin exchange. Amongst the discussed candidate materials are Na$_3$Co$_2$SbO$_6$ and Na$_2$Co$_2$TeO$_6$, both possessing a low-temperature ground state with some form of antiferromagnetic ordering (zigzag or triple-$Q$), similar to Na$_2$IrO$_3$ and $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$. Here we report inelastic neutron scattering experiments on the quantum magnet Li$_3$Co$_2$SbO$_6$, which features ferromagnetic honeycomb planes with opposite magnetizations in neighboring planes. By comparing with linear spin wave theory, we show that the magnetic properties of Li$_3$Co$_2$SbO$_6$ can be well-modelled by an extended Kitaev--Heisenberg model, establishing it as a Kitaev-ferromagnet, or more specifically, as a Kitaev A-type antiferromagnet. Our analysis is complemented by magnetic field measurements and simulations.

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Abdul Basit, Richard A. Mole, Alex J. Brown, Jiatu Liu, Chris D. Ling, Stephan Rachel. 2026-05-26. Inelastic neutron scattering of the layered Kitaev ferromagnet Li$_3$Co$_2$SbO$_6$. https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.27518

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