Quantum-disordered state of magnetic and electric dipoles in an organic Mott system

M. Shimozawa*, K. Hashimoto, A. Ueda, Y. Suzuki, K. Sugii, S. Yamada, Y. Imai, R. Kobayashi, K. Itoh, S. Iguchi, M. Naka, S. Ishihara, H. Mori, T. Sasaki, M. Yamashita

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Strongly enhanced quantum fluctuations often lead to a rich variety of quantum-disordered states. Developing approaches to enhance quantum fluctuations may open paths to realize even more fascinating quantum states. Here, we demonstrate that a coupling of localized spins with the zero-point motion of hydrogen atoms, that is, proton fluctuations in a hydrogen-bonded organic Mott insulator provides a different class of quantum spin liquids (QSLs). We find that divergent dielectric behavior associated with the approach to hydrogen-bond order is suppressed by the quantum proton fluctuations, resulting in a quantum paraelectric (QPE) state. Furthermore, our thermal-Transport measurements reveal that a QSL state with gapless spin excitations rapidly emerges upon entering the QPE state. These findings indicate that the quantum proton fluctuations give rise to a QSL-A quantum-disordered state of magnetic and electric dipoles-Through the coupling between the electron and proton degrees of freedom.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1821
JournalNature communications
Volume8
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017 Dec 1
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Chemistry(all)
  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
  • Physics and Astronomy(all)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Quantum-disordered state of magnetic and electric dipoles in an organic Mott system'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this