Structure and Magnetic Anisotropy of Alpha-RuCl3

Explore the fascinating world of quantum magnetism research in this 50-minute lecture on the structure and magnetic anisotropy of alpha-RuCl3. Delve into the bond-dependent anisotropic magnetic interaction known as the Kitaev interaction, found in honeycomb lattice materials with strong spin-orbit coupling. Discover why alpha-RuCl3 has been hailed as a potential realization of the Kitaev quantum spin liquid state, an elusive new state of matter harboring Majorana fermions. Gain insights into the current status of alpha-RuCl3 research and learn about recent experimental developments using ultra-high-quality samples. Understand the significance of minimal stacking faults in determining the low-temperature crystal structure and its relation to magnetic anisotropy temperature dependence. Examine the surprising sensitivity of magnetic properties to inter-layer configuration and its impact on various magnetic transition temperatures.