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The compound Ti₄MnBi₂ has emerged as just the second metallic system known to exhibit confirmed one-dimensional magnetism.
Research conducted by a team at the University of British Columbia’s Blusson Quantum Matter Institute (UBC Blusson QMI) has unveiled a distinctive form of one-dimensional quantum magnetism in this rare metallic compound. This important finding, detailed in a publication in Nature Materials, adds valuable insight to a largely theoretical domain in the study of quantum materials, which challenge conventional categorizations surrounding magnetism, conductivity, and quantum coherence.
“We have substantiated the existence of a novel class of quantum materials that are both metallic and one-dimensional magnets, characterized by a strong interconnection between the magnetic moments and their metallic environment,” explained Prof. Meigan Aronson, an investigator at UBC Blusson QMI.
Prof. Aronson pointed out that “most spin chain systems that have been examined until now are insulators that eventually transition to three-dimensional states at lower temperatures due to inter-chain interactions. This implies that key instabilities associated with quantum metals—such as superconductivity, metal-insulator transitions, and the fundamental origins of magnetism—have yet to be experimentally verified in genuinely one-dimensional systems.”
In a spin chain, spins are arranged in a one-dimensional formation, facilitating interactions with one another. Through neutron scattering measurements, supported by Density Matrix Renormalization Group (DMRG) analyses and electronic structure computations, the research team demonstrated that Ti₄MnBi₂ embodies a specialized physical model comprising spin chains with highly frustrated interactions. This leads to a diverse spectrum of ordered phases, which are traditionally observed only at absolute zero temperature.
In contrast to three-dimensional systems that display order at non-zero temperatures, one-dimensional systems like Ti₄MnBi₂ do not exhibit true ordering due to the predominance of strong quantum fluctuations that overshadow most measurable properties. Ti₄MnBi₂ thus stands out as the second documented metallic system displaying genuine one-dimensional magnetism, following Yb₂Pt₂Pb, but uniquely manifesting an entanglement between magnetic properties and the metallic structure.
“Demonstrating that this intermediate state exists marks a significant step in mapping out a broad quantum landscape that is ready for further exploration,” stated Prof. Aronson. “The strong alignment between our experimental results and computational theory could provide a benchmark for quantum simulations. Specifically, we aim to utilize neutron scattering findings as a reference point for evaluating various theoretical frameworks of quantum entanglement.”
This groundbreaking research is a testament to the collaborative expertise within UBC Blusson QMI. Key contributors included Dr. Xiyang Li and Dr. Mohamed Oudah on the experimental side, while theoretical modeling was overseen by Scientific Staff Dr. Alberto Nocera and Dr. Kateryna Foyevtsova, along with Professors George Sawatzky and Meigan Aronson. The neutron scattering experiments, essential for uncovering the quantum spin dynamics, were conducted using specialized instruments at J-PARC in Japan.
By providing insights that connect established magnetic insulators with advanced electronic systems, this study paves the way for future developments in fields like spintronics and quantum computing.
“Our findings serve as an ideal platform for demonstrating quantum advantages in quantum analog simulations. They also yield valuable insights that may facilitate the creation of high-density, high-speed magnetic memory technologies,” remarked Dr. Alberto Nocera, a staff scientist at UBC Blusson QMI.
“We successfully synthesized over 100 batches of high-quality single crystals from this compound, with more than 400 crystals aligned for neutron scattering analysis,” noted Dr. Xiyang Li, the lead author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher at UBC Blusson QMI. “Our discoveries open the door to further investigations into new material systems with potential applications in emerging quantum technologies.”
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