Continuous and discontinuous quantum phase transitions in a model two-dimensional magnet.
Journal Article
The Shasty-Sutherland model, which consists of a set of spin 1/2 dimers on a 2D square lattice, is simple and soluble but captures a central theme of condensed matter physics by sitting precariously on the quantum edge between isolated, gapped excitations and collective, ordered ground states. We compress the model Shastry-Sutherland material, SrCu(2)(BO(3))(2), in a diamond anvil cell at cryogenic temperatures to continuously tune the coupling energies and induce changes in state. High-resolution X-ray measurements exploit what emerges as a remarkably strong spin-lattice coupling to both monitor the magnetic behavior and the absence or presence of structural discontinuities. In the low-pressure spin-singlet regime, the onset of magnetism results in an expansion of the lattice with decreasing temperature, which permits a determination of the pressure-dependent energy gap and the almost isotropic spin-lattice coupling energies. The singlet-triplet gap energy is suppressed continuously with increasing pressure, vanishing completely by 2 GPa. This continuous quantum phase transition is followed by a structural distortion at higher pressure.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Haravifard, S; Banerjee, A; Lang, JC; Srajer, G; Silevitch, DM; Gaulin, BD; Dabkowska, HA; Rosenbaum, TF
Published Date
- February 2012
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 109 / 7
Start / End Page
- 2286 - 2289
PubMed ID
- 22308373
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1091-6490
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0027-8424
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1073/pnas.1114464109
Language
- eng