Abstract
We have explored the spin liquid state in Tb 2Ti 2O 7 with vibrating-coil magnetometry down to ∼0.04K under magnetic fields up to 5 T. We observe magnetic history dependence below T *∼0.2K reminiscent of the classical spin ice systems Ho 2Ti 2O 7 and Dy 2Ti 2O 7. The magnetic phase diagram inferred from the magnetization is essentially isotropic, without evidence of magnetization plateaus as anticipated for so-called quantum spin ice, predicted theoretically for [111] when quantum fluctuations renormalize the interactions. Instead, the magnetization for T T * agrees semiquantitatively with the predictions of "all-in-all-out" (AIAO) antiferromagnetism. Taken together, this suggests that the spin liquid state in Tb 2Ti 2O 7 is akin to an incipient AIAO antiferromagnet.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 047201 |
Journal | Physical Review Letters |
Volume | 109 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 23 Jul 2012 |