One-third magnetization plateau in Quantum Kagome antiferromagnet

Abstract

The emergence of nontrivial quantum states from competing interactions is a central issue in quantum magnetism. In particular, for the realization of the quantum spin-liquid state, extensive studies have been conducted on frustrated systems, such as kagome antiferromagnets and Kitaev magnets. Novel quantum states in magnetic fields have remained elusive despite the prediction of rich physics. This can be attributed to material scarcity and the difficulty of precise measurements under ultra-high magnetic fields. Here, in this study, we develop the Kapellasite-type compound InCu3(OH)6Cl3, whose exchange interactions are in appropriate energy scale to comprehensively elucidate the magnetic properties of the frustrated S = 1/2 kagome antiferromagnet. The one-third magnetization plateau was clearly observed. Moreover, the large temperature-linear term in the heat capacity was observed in the magnetic fields, indicating the excitation of gapless quasiparticles in the vicinity of the plateau. These results shed light on the critical behaviors between quantum spin-liquid and -solid in kagome antiferromagnets under high magnetic fields. A range of non-trivial quantum phenomena can emerge from frustrated magnetic systems and a prime example is a quantum spin liquid. Here, the authors conduct specific heat and magnetization measurements on the Kapellasite-type compound InCu3(OH)6Cl3 in order to characterize and define the range of the magnetization plateau in this material.