Dichotomy in temporal and thermal spin correlations observed in the breathing pyrochlore LiGa1−xInxCr4O8
Suheon Lee, S.-H. Do, Wonjun Lee, Y. S. Choi, Johan van Tol, A. P. Reyes, D. I. Gorbunov, Wei‐Tin Chen, Kwang‐Yong Choi
Abstract
Abstract A breathing pyrochlore system is predicted to host a variety of quantum spin liquids. Despite tremendous experimental and theoretical efforts, such sought-after states remain elusive as perturbation terms and lattice distortions lead to magnetic order. Here, we utilize bond alternation and disorder to tune a magnetic ground state in the Cr-based breathing pyrochlore LiGa 1− x In x Cr 4 O 8 . By combining thermodynamic and magnetic resonance techniques, we provide experimental signatures of a spin-liquid-like state in x = 0.8, namely, a nearly T 2 -dependent magnetic specific heat and persistent spin dynamics by muon spin relaxation ( μ SR). Moreover, 7 Li NMR, ZF- μ SR, and ESR unveil the temporal and thermal dichotomy of spin correlations: a tetramer singlet on a slow time scale vs. a spin-liquid-like state on a fast time scale. Our results showcase that a bond disorder in the breathing pyrochlore offers a promising route to disclose exotic magnetic phases.