ISIS Neutron and Muon Source Data Journal

Exploring Structural and Spin Orders in the Quantum Spin Liquid Candidate ZnxCu4-x(OD)6FBr by Powder Neutron Diffraction

Abstract: Quantum spin liquids (QSLs) are intriguing states of matter in which magnetic frustration and strong quantum fluctuations prevent classical long-range magnetic order. To date, one of the best experimental realisations of such a system is herbertsmithite, ZnCu3(OH)6Cl2, but the exact nature of its QSL state remains a matter of debate. Here, we propose to explore Zn-doped deuterated barlowite, ZnxCu4-x(OD)6FBr, by powder neutron diffraction (PND). Like herbertsmithite, barlowite contains frustrated kagome layers of Cu2+ ions. The x = 0 member of the series undergoes a magnetic ordering transition at T ~ 15 K, but the effects of doping the system with non-magnetic Zn2+ ions are yet to be fully explored. PND is necessary in order to elucidate the nature of the spin order in barlowite below 15 K as well as determining the degree of Zn/Cu (dis)order.

Principal Investigator: Dr Lucy Clark
Experimenter: Mr Lewis Farrar
Experimenter: Mr Teng Li
Experimenter: Mr Richard Lyons
Experimenter: Dr Gøran Nilsen
Experimenter: Miss Katherine Tustain
Experimenter: Dr Jennifer Graham
Experimenter: Professor Philip Lightfoot
Local Contact: Dr Ivan da Silva Gonzalez

DOI: 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB1720028

ISIS Experiment Number: RB1720028

Publisher: STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source

Data format: RAW/Nexus
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Data Citation

The recommended format for citing this dataset in a research publication is as:
[author], [date], [title], [publisher], [doi]

For Example:
Dr Lucy Clark et al; (2018): Exploring Structural and Spin Orders in the Quantum Spin Liquid Candidate ZnxCu4-x(OD)6FBr by Powder Neutron Diffraction, STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, https://doi.org/10.5286/ISIS.E.RB1720028

Data is released under the CC-BY-4.0 license.