Pseudospin-lattice coupling in the spin-orbit Mott insulator Sr<sub>2</sub>IrO<sub>4</sub>

Spin-orbit entangled magnetic dipoles, often referred to as pseudospins, provide a new avenue to explore novel magnetism inconceivable in the weak spin-orbit coupling limit, but the nature of their low-energy interactions remains to be understood. We present a comprehensive study of the static magnetism and low-energy pseudospin dynamics in the archetypal spin-orbit Mott insulator Sr₂IrO₄. We find that in order to understand even basic magnetization measurements, a formerly overlooked in-plane anisotropy is fundamental. In addition to magnetometry, we use neutron diffraction, inelastic neutron scattering and resonant elastic and inelastic x-ray scattering to identify and quantify the interactions that determine the global symmetry of the system and govern the linear responses of pseudospins to external magnetic fields and their low-energy dynamics. We find that a pseudospin-only Hamiltonian is insufficient for an accurate description of the magnetism in Sr₂IrO₄, and that pseudospin-lattice coupling is essential. This finding should be generally applicable to other pseudospin systems with sizable orbital moments sensitive to anisotropic crystalline environments.

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Bulletin of the American Physical Society

APS March Meeting 2019

Volume 64, Number 2

Monday–Friday, March 4–8, 2019; Boston, Massachusetts

Session A46: 4d/5d Transition Metal Systems -- Perovskite and Honeycomb Iridates

Abstract: A46.00010 : Pseudospin-lattice coupling in the spin-orbit Mott insulator Sr2IrO4

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Abstract: A46.00010 : Pseudospin-lattice coupling in the spin-orbit Mott insulator Sr₂IrO₄