Magnons, spinons, Majorana fermions and quantum spin liquids

Date

Mar 27, 2017

Time

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Speaker

Prof. Stephen Nagler

Affiliation

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Language

en

Main Topic

Physik

Other Topics

Physik

Description

In recent years many physicists researching quantum materials have become very excited about an unusual state of matter: the quantum spin liquid (QSL). In this talk I will explore the difference between “conventional” ordered magnetic systems and QSLs. To understand these systems the way physicists do one needs to appreciate the importance of collective elementary excitations. In ordinary magnets these are called spin-waves, or, in the quantum version, magnons. These will be explained and discussed along with other excitations that are important in quantum magnetism sometime called “triplons” and spinons. I will discuss a major technique for characterizing these excitations: inelastic neutron scattering. The last part of the talk will examine one material of particular recent interest: $\alpha-RuCl_3$. This material orders magnetically, but it is close to a special kind of quantum spin liquid called the “Kitaev quantum spin liquid”, and exhibits unusual excitations that might be related to particles known as Majorana Fermions. Finally, I will discuss how the magnetic order can be suppressed by either site-dilution of the magnetic $Ru^{3+}$ ions, or the application of a magnetic field. The resultant consequences on the magnetic excitation spectrum are seen to be of particular interest.

Last modified: Mar 27, 2017, 9:55:35 AM