Quantum Spin Liquids: Are we there yet?

Quantum spin liquids represent new states of matter that are characterized by long-range quantum entanglement. Unlike common magnets, the spins in a quantum spin liquid (QSL) do not order or break conventional symmetries, but rather they remain fluctuating even as the temperature approaches absolute zero. 50 years after the theoretical proposal for such states, there is still great debate regarding their existence. Leading candidate materials for QSL ground states are based on highly frustrated lattices. Our neutron scattering studies on spin-1/2 kagome materials reveal universal behavior which are hallmarks of QSL physics. Combined with new insight from state-of-the art computer simulations, we argue that our results represent the strongest existence proof yet for these fascinating ground states.

Speaker: Young Lee, Stanford University