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  • Van Hove singularity in the...
    Sala, G; Stone, M B; Rai, Binod K; May, A F; Laurell, Pontus; Garlea, V O; Butch, N P; Lumsden, M D; Ehlers, G; Pokharel, G; Podlesnyak, A; Mandrus, D; Parker, D S; Okamoto, S; Halász, Gábor B; Christianson, A D

    Nature communications, 01/2021, Letnik: 12, Številka: 1
    Journal Article

    In quantum magnets, magnetic moments fluctuate heavily and are strongly entangled with each other, a fundamental distinction from classical magnetism. Here, with inelastic neutron scattering measurements, we probe the spin correlations of the honeycomb lattice quantum magnet YbCl . A linear spin wave theory with a single Heisenberg interaction on the honeycomb lattice, including both transverse and longitudinal channels of the neutron response, reproduces all of the key features in the spectrum. In particular, we identify a Van Hove singularity, a clearly observable sharp feature within a continuum response. The demonstration of such a Van Hove singularity in a two-magnon continuum is important as a confirmation of broadly held notions of continua in quantum magnetism and additionally because analogous features in two-spinon continua could be used to distinguish quantum spin liquids from merely disordered systems. These results establish YbCl as a benchmark material for quantum magnetism on the honeycomb lattice.