Related papers: Intermediate phases in $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$ under in-…
The Kitaev model predicts that quantum spin liquids (QSLs) will form at low temperatures under certain special conditions, and materials hosting the QSL state are frequently sought. The layered honeycomb lattice material {\alpha}-RuCl3 has…
The frustrated magnet $\alpha$-RuCl3 is one of the prime candidates for realizing a Kitaev quantum spin liquid (QSL). However, the existence of a field-induced intermediate QSL phase in this material remains under debate. Here, we employ…
Recent discovery of the half quantized thermal Hall conductivity in $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$, a candidate material for the Kitaev spin liquid, suggests the presence of a highly entangled quantum state in external magnetic fields. This field…
We report the discovery of an intriguing pressure-driven phase transformation in the layered Kitaev-material $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$. By analyzing both the Bragg scattering as well as the diffuse scattering of high-quality single crystals, we…
In the quest for realizations of quantum spin liquids, the exploration of Kitaev materials - spin-orbit entangled Mott insulators with strong bond-directional exchanges - has taken center stage. However, in these materials the local…
The pure Kitaev honeycomb model harbors a quantum spin liquid in zero magnetic fields, while applying finite magnetic fields induces a topological spin liquid with non-Abelian anyonic excitations. This latter phase has been much sought…
Compounds of transition metal ions with strong spin-orbit coupling recently attracted attention due to the possibility to host frustrated bond-dependent anisotropic magnetic interactions. In general, such interactions lead to complex phase…
The Kitaev material $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$ is among the most prominent candidates to host a quantum spin-liquid state endowed with fractionalized excitations. Recent experimental and theoretical investigations have separately revealed the…
$\alpha$-RuCl$_3$ has been proposed recently as an excellent playground for exploring Kitaev physics on a two-dimensional (2D) honeycomb lattice. However, structural clarification of the compound has not been completed, which is crucial in…
Topological states of matter such as quantum spin liquids (QSLs) are of great interest because of their remarkable predicted properties including protection of quantum information and the emergence of Majorana fermions. Such QSLs, however,…
Through a combination of crystal symmetry analysis and density functional theory calculations we unveil a possible microscopic origin of the unexpected insulating behavior reported in the honeycomb Kitaev material Cu$_2$IrO$_3$. Our study…
In recent years, the increasing level of control over van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures has opened new routes to tune the properties of quantum materials. Motivated by these developments, we examine the potential consequences of…
Motivated by the possible triple-$\bf Q$ classical order in the Kitaev candidate material Na$_2$Co$_2$TeO$_6$, we investigate microscopic models that may stabilize the triple-$\bf Q$ order by studying an extended Kitaev honeycomb model with…
We report a muon spin rotation/relaxation ($\mu$SR) study of single-crystalline samples of the $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$ honeycomb magnet, which is presumed to be a model compound for the Kitaev-Heisenberg interaction. It is inferred from magnetic…
Kitaev's honeycomb-lattice spin-$1/2$ model has become a paradigmatic example for $\mathbb{Z}_2$ quantum spin liquids, both gapped and gapless. Here we study the fate of these spin-liquid phases in differently stacked bilayer versions of…
The material $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$, with a two-dimensional Ru-honeycomb sublattice, has attracted considerable attention because it may be a realization of the Kitaev quantum spin liquid (QSL). Recently, a new honeycomb material,…
Changes in the spin configuration of atomically-thin, magnetic van-der-Waals multilayers can cause drastic modifications in their opto-electronic properties. Conversely, the opto-electronic response of these systems provides information…
Ruthenium trihalides Ru$X_3$ ($X$ = Cl, Br, I) provide a tunable platform for Kitaev magnetism in two-dimensional van der Waals materials. Despite their similar crystal structures and zigzag antiferromagnetic order, RuBr$_3$ exhibits a…
There has been a great interest in magnetic field induced quantum spin liquids in Kitaev magnets after the discovery of neutron scattering continuum and half quantized thermal Hall conductivity in the material $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$. In this…
We systematically investigate the effects of Kitaev interaction on magnetic orders and anisotropy in both triangular and honeycomb lattices. Our study highlights the critical role of the Kitaev interaction in modulating phase boundaries and…