%0 Journal Article
%T Concept and realization of Kitaev quantum spin liquids
%J -
%D 2019
%R https://doi.org/10.1038/s42254-019-0038-2
%X The Kitaev model is an exactly solvable S = 1/2 spin model on a 2D honeycomb lattice, in which the spins fractionalize into Majorana fermions and form a topological quantum spin liquid (QSL) in the ground state. Several complex iridium oxides, as well as ¦Á-RuCl3, are magnetic insulators with a honeycomb structure, and it was noticed that they accommodate essential ingredients of the Kitaev model owing to the interplay of electron correlation and spin¨Corbit coupling. This has led to a race to realize the Kitaev QSL and detect signatures of Majorana fermions. We summarize the theoretical background of the Kitaev QSL ground state and its realization using spin¨Corbital entangled Jeff = 1/2 moments. We provide an overview of candidate materials and their electronic and magnetic properties, including Na2IrO3, ¦Á-Li2IrO3, ¦Â-Li2IrO3, ¦Ã-Li2IrO3, ¦Á-RuCl3 and H3LiIr2O6. Finally, we discuss experiments showing that H3LiIr2O6 and ¦Á-RuCl3 in an applied magnetic field exhibit signatures of the QSL state and that ¦Á-RuCl3 has unusual magnetic excitations and thermal transport properties consistent with spin fractionalization
%U https://www.nature.com/articles/s42254-019-0038-2