Dynamic scaling in the susceptibility of the spin-12 kagome lattice antiferromagnet herbertsmithite

Abstract

The spin-12 kagome lattice antiferromagnet herbertsmithite, ZnCu3(OH)6Cl2, is a candidate material for a quantum spin liquid ground state. We show that the magnetic response of this material displays an unusual scaling relation in both the bulk ac susceptibility and the low energy dynamic susceptibility as measured by inelastic neutron scattering. The quantity χTα with α0.66 can be expressed as a universal function of H/T or ω/T. This scaling is discussed in relation to similar behavior seen in systems influenced by disorder or by the proximity to a quantum critical point. © 2010 The American Physical Society.