Valence bond phases of herbertsmithite and related copper kagome materials

Recent evidence from magnetic torque, electron spin resonance, and second harmonic generation indicate that the prototypical quantum spin liquid candidate, herbertsmithite, has a symmetry lower than its x-ray refined trigonal space group. Here we consider known and possible distortions of this miner...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: M. R. Norman, N. J. Laurita, D. Hsieh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Physical Society 2020-01-01
Series:Physical Review Research
Online Access:http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.013055
Description
Summary:Recent evidence from magnetic torque, electron spin resonance, and second harmonic generation indicate that the prototypical quantum spin liquid candidate, herbertsmithite, has a symmetry lower than its x-ray refined trigonal space group. Here we consider known and possible distortions of this mineral class, along with related copper kagome oxides and fluorides, relate these to possible valence bond patterns, and comment on their relevance to the physics of these interesting materials.
ISSN:2643-1564