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Nuclear and magnetic structures of the frustrated quantum antiferromagnet barlowite,Cu4(OH)6FBr

Authors :
Gøran J. Nilsen
K. Tustain
Clemens Ritter
Lucy Clark
I. da Silva
Source :
Physical Review Materials. 2
Publication Year :
2018
Publisher :
American Physical Society (APS), 2018.

Abstract

Barlowite, ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{4}{(\mathrm{OH})}_{6}\mathrm{FBr}$, has attracted much attention as the parent compound of a new series of quantum spin-liquid candidates, ${\mathrm{Zn}}_{x}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{4\ensuremath{-}x}{(\mathrm{OH})}_{6}\mathrm{FBr}$. While it is known to undergo a magnetic phase transition to a long-range ordered state at ${T}_{N}=15$ K, there is still no consensus over either its nuclear or magnetic structures. Here, we use comprehensive, high-flux powder neutron diffraction studies on deuterated samples of barlowite to demonstrate that the only space group consistent with the observed nuclear and magnetic diffraction at low temperatures is the orthorhombic $Pnma$ space group. We furthermore conclude that the magnetic intensity at $Tl{T}_{N}$ is correctly described by the $P{n}^{\ensuremath{'}}{m}^{\ensuremath{'}}a$ magnetic space group, which crucially allows the ferromagnetic component observed in previous single-crystal and powder magnetization measurements. As such, the magnetic structure of barlowite resembles that of the related material clinoatacamite, ${\mathrm{Cu}}_{4}{(\mathrm{OH})}_{6}{\mathrm{Cl}}_{2}$, the parent compound of the well-known quantum spin-liquid candidate hebertsmithite, ${\mathrm{ZnCu}}_{3}{(\mathrm{OH})}_{6}{\mathrm{Cl}}_{2}$.

Details

ISSN :
24759953
Volume :
2
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Physical Review Materials
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........a7ee5de58c5cefd4772a33742fbcdceb