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Magnetic ordering of the distorted kagome antiferromagnet Y3Cu9(OH)18[Cl8(OH)] prepared via optimal synthesis

Experimental studies of high-purity kagome-lattice antiferromagnets (KAFMs) are of great importance in attempting to better understand the predicted enigmatic quantum spin-liquid ground state of the KAFM model. However, realizations of this model can rarely evade magnetic ordering at low temperatures due to various perturbations to its dominant isotropic exchange interactions. Such a situation is encountered, for example, due to sizable Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya magnetic anisotropy in YCu3(OH)6Cl3, which stands out from other KAFM materials due to its perfect crystal structure. We also find evidence of magnetic ordering in the distorted sibling compound Y3Cu9(OH)18[Cl8(OH)], which has recently been proposed to feature a spin-liquid ground state arising from a spatially anisotropic kagome lattice. Our findings are based on a combination of bulk susceptibility, specific heat, and magnetic torque measurements that disclose a Néel transition temperature of T_N = 11 K in this material, which might feature a coexistence of magnetic order and persistent spin dynamics as previously found in YCu3(OH)6Cl3. Contrary to previous studies of single crystals and powders containing impurity inclusions, we use high-purity single crystals of Y3Cu9(OH)18[Cl8(OH)] grown via an optimized hydrothermal synthesis route that minimizes such inclusions. This study thus demonstrates that the lack of magnetic ordering in less pure samples of the investigated compound does not originate from the reduced symmetry of the spin lattice, but is instead of extrinsic origin.

kagome, spin liquid, frustration

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