Direct evidence of a zigzag spin chain structure in the honeycomb lattice: A neutron and x-ray diffraction investigation on single crystal $\rm Na_2IrO_3$

Details Direct evidence of a zigzag spin chain structure in the honeycomb lattice: A neutron and x-ray diffraction investigation on single crystal $\rm Na_2IrO_3$ Direct evidence of a zigzag spin chain structure in the honeycomb lattice: A neutron and x-ray diffraction investigation on single crystal $\rm Na_2IrO_3$

2012-02-17

arxiv.org/abs/1202.3995v2

Physics

Condensed Matter

Strongly Correlated Electrons

5 pages, 3 figures, correct the typo in table 1

Scientific paper

We have combined single crystal neutron and x-ray diffractions to investigate the magnetic and crystal structures of the honeycomb lattice $\rm Na_2IrO_3$. The system orders magnetically below $18.1(2)$ K with Ir$^{4+}$ ions forming zigzag spin chains within the layered honeycomb network with ordered moment of $\rm 0.22(1) \mu_B$/Ir site. Such a configuration sharply contrasts the N{\'{e}}el or stripe states proposed in the Kitaev-Heisenberg model. The structure refinement reveals that the Ir atoms form nearly ideal 2D honeycomb lattice while the $\rm IrO_6$ octahedra experience a trigonal distortion that is critical to the ground state. The results of this study provide much-needed experimental insights into the magnetic and crystal structure crucial to the understanding of the exotic magnetic order and possible topological characteristics in the 5$d$-electron based honeycomb lattice.

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