First 2D system found to contain new liquid phase

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory used neutron scattering for a new study. Target

 — determine whether the atomicthe structure of a particular material contains a spirally rotating fluid. By tracking the rotations on the mesh lattice of a layered iron trichloride magnet, physicists have discovered the first 2D system in which it can be located.

The discovery will be useful in future researchphysical phenomena that can lead to the emergence of the next generation of information technologies. For example, scientists will be able to study fractons (collective quantized vibrations considered the future of quantum computing) and skyrmions (new magnetic spin textures that facilitate high-density data storage).

"Materials containing helical spinliquids are particularly interesting because of their potential for creating quantum spin liquids, spin textures, and fracton excitations,” said Shang Gao of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, who led the study published in Physical Review Letters.

A long-standing theory predicted that the honeycomb lattice could contain a spiraling fluid—a new phase of matter in which the spins create oscillating, corkscrew-like structures.

However until nowResearch and experimental evidence of this phase in a two-dimensional system were absent. The two-dimensional system contains a layered crystalline material in which the interactions are stronger in the planar direction than in the stacking direction.

Scientists used ferric chloride and turnedto an expert in growing and studying 2D materials. Just as two-dimensional graphene layers exist in bulk graphite as cellular lattices of pure carbon, two-dimensional iron layers exist in bulk iron trichloride as two-dimensional cellular layers.

Previously, scientists suspected that this interestingthe honeycomb material can exhibit complex magnetic behavior at low temperatures. In a new study, physicists confirmed the theory. Each cellular layer of iron has chlorine atoms above and below it, forming chlorine-iron-chlorine slabs.

In the course of the study, the scientists used neutron scattering technologies to map spin motions in a spiral-spin fluid.

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