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Observation of the spiral spin liquid in a triangular-lattice material

Author

Listed:
  • N. D. Andriushin

    (Technische Universität Dresden)

  • S. E. Nikitin

    (Paul Scherrer Institut)

  • Ø. S. Fjellvåg

    (Paul Scherrer Institut
    Institute for Energy Technology)

  • J. S. White

    (Paul Scherrer Institut)

  • A. Podlesnyak

    (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

  • D. S. Inosov

    (Technische Universität Dresden
    TU Dresden)

  • M. C. Rahn

    (Technische Universität Dresden
    University of Augsburg)

  • M. Schmidt

    (Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids)

  • M. Baenitz

    (Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids)

  • A. S. Sukhanov

    (Technische Universität Dresden
    University of Augsburg)

Abstract

The spiral spin liquid (SSL) is a highly degenerate state characterized by a continuous contour or surface in reciprocal space spanned by a spiral propagation vector. Although the SSL state has been predicted in a number of various theoretical models, very few materials are so far experimentally identified to host such a state. Via combined single-crystal wide-angle and small-angle neutron scattering, we report observation of the SSL in the quasi-two-dimensional delafossite-like AgCrSe2. We show that it is a very close realization of the ideal Heisenberg J1–J2–J3 frustrated model on the triangular lattice. By supplementing our experimental results with microscopic spin-dynamics simulations, we demonstrate how such exotic magnetic states are driven by thermal fluctuations and exchange frustration.

Suggested Citation

  • N. D. Andriushin & S. E. Nikitin & Ø. S. Fjellvåg & J. S. White & A. Podlesnyak & D. S. Inosov & M. C. Rahn & M. Schmidt & M. Baenitz & A. S. Sukhanov, 2025. "Observation of the spiral spin liquid in a triangular-lattice material," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57319-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57319-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yao Shen & Yao-Dong Li & Hongliang Wo & Yuesheng Li & Shoudong Shen & Bingying Pan & Qisi Wang & H. C. Walker & P. Steffens & M. Boehm & Yiqing Hao & D. L. Quintero-Castro & L. W. Harriger & M. D. Fro, 2016. "Evidence for a spinon Fermi surface in a triangular-lattice quantum-spin-liquid candidate," Nature, Nature, vol. 540(7634), pages 559-562, December.
    2. Leon Balents, 2010. "Spin liquids in frustrated magnets," Nature, Nature, vol. 464(7286), pages 199-208, March.
    3. Shang Gao & H. Diego Rosales & Flavia A. Gómez Albarracín & Vladimir Tsurkan & Guratinder Kaur & Tom Fennell & Paul Steffens & Martin Boehm & Petr Čermák & Astrid Schneidewind & Eric Ressouche & Danie, 2020. "Fractional antiferromagnetic skyrmion lattice induced by anisotropic couplings," Nature, Nature, vol. 586(7827), pages 37-41, October.
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