Neutron Spectroscopy Studies of Kitaev Quantum Magnets

Explore the fascinating world of Kitaev quantum magnets through neutron spectroscopy studies in this 49-minute conference talk by Jinsheng Wen at ICBS2024. Delve into the intricacies of the Kitaev model, an exactly solvable quantum-spin-liquid model defined on a honeycomb lattice with S = 1/2. Discover how the bond-anisotropic Kitaev interaction, typically unrealistic in spin-only systems, can be realized in the Mott insulator α-RuCl3 by entangling spin and orbital degrees of freedom. Learn about the suppression of zigzag magnetic order in α-RuCl3 through the application of an in-plane magnetic field, leading to a quantum-spin-liquid state. Explore recent developments in extending Kitaev physics to higher-spin systems, focusing on the honeycomb-lattice antiferromagnet Na3Ni2BiO6 and its intriguing 1/3 magnetization plateau stabilized by Kitaev interaction.