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  • Survival of itinerant excit...
    Rao, X.; Hussain, G.; Huang, Q.; Chu, W. J.; Li, N.; Zhao, X.; Dun, Z.; Choi, E. S.; Asaba, T.; Chen, L.; Li, L.; Yue, X. Y.; Wang, N. N.; Cheng, J.-G.; Gao, Y. H.; Shen, Y.; Zhao, J.; Chen, G.; Zhou, H. D.; Sun, X. F.

    Nature communications, 08/2021, Volume: 12, Issue: 1
    Journal Article

    Abstract A recent focus of quantum spin liquid (QSL) studies is how disorder/randomness in a QSL candidate affects its true magnetic ground state. The ultimate question is whether the QSL survives disorder or the disorder leads to a “spin-liquid-like” state, such as the proposed random-singlet (RS) state. Since disorder is a standard feature of most QSL candidates, this question represents a major challenge for QSL candidates. YbMgGaO 4 , a triangular lattice antiferromagnet with effective spin-1/2 Yb 3+ ions, is an ideal system to address this question, since it shows no long-range magnetic ordering with Mg/Ga site disorder. Despite the intensive study, it remains unresolved as to whether YbMgGaO 4 is a QSL or in the RS state. Here, through ultralow-temperature thermal conductivity and magnetic torque measurements, plus specific heat and DC magnetization data, we observed a residual κ 0 / T term and series of quantum spin state transitions in the zero temperature limit for YbMgGaO 4 . These observations strongly suggest that a QSL state with itinerant excitations and quantum spin fluctuations survives disorder in YbMgGaO 4 .