Journal Article

FZJ-2021-02155

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Stacking faults in α−RuCl3 revealed by local electric polarization

Mi, X. (Corresponding author) ; Wang, X.FZJ* ; Gui, H. ; Pi, M. ; Zheng, T. ; Yang, K. ; Gan, Y. ; Wang, P. ; Li, A. ; Wang, A. ; Zhang, L. ; Su, Y.FZJ* ; Chai, Y. ; He, M. (Corresponding author)

2021
Inst. Woodbury, NY

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/27795  doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.103.174413

Abstract: We present out-of-plane dielectric and magnetodielectric measurements of single-crystalline α−RuCl3 with various degrees of stacking faults. A frequency-dependent, but field-independent, dielectric anomaly appears at TA(f=100kHz)∼4 K once both magnetic transitions at TN1∼7 K and TN2∼14 K set in. The observed dielectric anomaly is attributed to the emergence of possible local electric polarizations whose inversion symmetry is broken by inhomogeneously distributed stacking faults. A field-induced intermediate phase is only observed when a magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the Ru-Ru bonds for samples with minimal stacking faults. Less pronounced in-plane anisotropy is found in samples with a sizable contribution from stacking imperfections. Our findings suggest that dielectric measurement is a sensitive probe in detecting the structural and magnetic properties, which may be a promising tool, especially in studying α−RuCl3 thin-film devices. Moreover, the stacking details of RuCl3 layers strongly affect the ground state both in the magnetic and electric channels. Such a fragile ground state against stacking faults needs to be overcome for realistic applications utilizing the magnetic and/or electric properties of Kitaev-based physics in α−RuCl3.

Keyword(s): Magnetic Materials (1st) ; Condensed Matter Physics (2nd) ; Magnetism (2nd)

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. JCNS-FRM-II (JCNS-FRM-II)
2. Streumethoden (JCNS-2)
3. JCNS-4 (JCNS-4)

Research Program(s):

1. 6G4 - Jülich Centre for Neutron Research (JCNS) (FZJ) (POF4-6G4) (POF4-6G4)
2. 632 - Materials – Quantum, Complex and Functional Materials (POF4-632) (POF4-632)

Experiment(s):

1. No specific instrument

Appears in the scientific report 2021

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Database coverage:
; ; ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Electronics and Telecommunications Collection ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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