Realization of two-sublattice exchange physics in the triangular lattice compound Ba3Er(BO3)3

Abstract

Abstract Geometric frustration commonly occurs in materials where magnetic rare-earth ions are arranged on a two-dimensional triangular lattice. These compounds have been gaining significant attention lately, as they hold the promise of revealing unique quantum states of matter. However, little attention has been devoted to cases where spin- $$\frac{1}{2}$$ 1 2 rare-earth ions are substituted with ions exhibiting higher spin multiplicities. Here, we successfully synthesize high-quality single crystal samples of Ba3Er(BO3)3, which is part of the family of triangular lattice compounds. In our experiments, conducted at extremely low temperatures (around 100 millikelvin), we observe two sublattice exchange interactions in Ba3Er(BO3)3, resulting in the hexagonal lattice spins exhibiting a mixture of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic tendencies. Our theoretical analysis suggest that this behavior may be attributed to the distinct positions of magnetic ions within the crystal lattice. However, the presence of quantum effects adds an extra layer of complexity to our findings, calling for further exploration.