Rare-Earth Chalcogenides: A Large Family of Triangular Lattice Spin Liquid Candidates

Frustrated quantum magnets are expected to host many exotic quantum spin states like quantum spin liquid(QSL), and have attracted numerous interest in modern condensed matter physics. The discovery of the triangular lattice spin liquid candidate YbMgGaO_4 stimulated an increasing attention on the rare-earth-based frustrated magnets with strong spin-orbit coupling. Here we report the synthesis and characterization of a large family of rare-earth chalcogenides AReCh_2(A = alkali or monovalent ions, Re = rare earth, Ch = O,S,Se). The family compounds share the same structure(R3 m) as YbMgGaO_4,and antiferromagnetically coupled rare-earth ions form perfect triangular layers that are well separated along the c-axis. Specific heat and magnetic susceptibility measurements on NaYbO_2,NaYbS_2 and NaYbSe_2 single crystals and polycrystals, reveal no structural or magnetic transition down to 50 mK. The family, having the simplest structure and chemical formula among the known QSL candidates, removes the issue on possible exchange disorders in YbMgGaO_4. More excitingly, the rich diversity of the family members allows tunable charge gaps, variable exchange coupling, and many other advantages.This makes the family an ideal platform for fundamental research of QSLs and its promising applications.     

Flat Band and Z2 Topology of Kagome Metal CsTi3Bi5

The simple kagome-lattice band structure possesses Dirac cones, flat band, and saddle point with van Hove singularities in the electronic density of states, facilitating the emergence of various electronic orders. Here we report a titanium-based kagome metal CsTi₃Bi₅ where titanium atoms form a kagome network, resembling its isostructural compound CsV₃Sb₅. Thermodynamic properties including the magnetization, resistance, and heat capacity reveal the co...