Disorder-Enriched Magnetic Excitations in a Heisenberg-Kitaev Quantum Magnet, Na2Co2TeO6

Published January 18, 2024

(a) Average crystal structure of Na2Co2TeO6 with each Na site 2/3 occupied; Te and O atoms have been omitted for clarity. (b) Representative structure showing Na-occupation disorder,

Studying a mysterious magnetic material (Na₂Co₂TeO₆) that could be used in future quantum computing schemes, researchers revealed the crucial role microscopic disorder in the crystals plays in affecting the macroscopic magnetic properties.

What did scientists discover?

This research collaboration studied an enigmatic magnetic material, Na₂Co₂TeO₆, that is thought to host exotic magnetic excitations that could be utilized in future quantum computing schemes. Through detailed theoretical analysis of the spectroscopically determined magnetic excitation spectrum – and how it changes across a wide magnetic field range – this work reveals the crucial role of microscopic disorder in the crystals that strongly affects the resulting magnetic properties.

Why is this important?

This comprehensive study has resulted in a detailed understanding of the magnetic excitations in Na₂Co₂TeO₆, revealing the key role of disorder associated with the sodium atoms immediately surrounding the cobalt spins. Understanding the role of disorder more generally (and how to control it) in this class of materials is an important prerequisite for development of future information technologies.

Who did the research?

L. Xiang¹, R. Dhakal², M. Ozerov¹, Y. Jiang³, B. S. Mou², A. Ozarowski¹, Q. Huang⁴, H. Zhou⁴, J. Fang⁵, S. M. Winter², Z. Jiang⁵, D. Smirnov¹

¹MagLab / Florida State University; ²Wake Forest University; ³Anhui University; ⁴University of Tennessee; ⁵Georgia Institute of Technology

Why did they need the MagLab?

Measuring the precise nature of the magnetic excitations associated with the Na₂Co₂TeO₆ compound over a wide range of magnetic fields and frequencies was essential to diagnosing the role of disorder in these complex quantum magnetic materials. High magnetic field measurements in the MagLab’s Electron Magnetic Resonance (EMR) facility and DC Field facility provided unrivaled experimental insights by bringing to bear the combined capabilities of high-field electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and far-infrared magnetospectroscopy (FIRMS) that are available at the MagLab.

Details for scientists

View or download the expert-level Science Highlight, Disorder-Enriched Magnetic Excitations in a Heisenberg-Kitaev Quantum Magnet, Na₂Co₂TeO₆
Read the full-length publication, Disorder-Enriched Magnetic Excitations in a Heisenberg-Kitaev Quantum Magnet Na₂Co₂TeO₆, in Physical Review Letters

Funding

This research was funded by the following grants: G.S. Boebinger (NSF DMR-2128556); D. Smirnov (DOE DE-FG02-07ER46451); H. Zhou (DOE DE- SC0020254); Z. Jiang (DOE DE-SC0023455)

For more information, contact Stephen Hill.