Date/Time Date(s) - 28/10/202610:30 am - 11:30 am
Dr. Young-June Kime Tenure-Stream Faculty University of Toronto
Title: In Search of a Quantum Spin Liquid: Insights from X-rays and Neutrons
Abstract:
Strong interactions between electrons in quantum materials can give rise to remarkable emergent phenomena, including exotic states of matter with potential applications in future quantum technologies. One particularly intriguing example is the quantum spin liquid, an elusive magnetic state that can support fractionalized excitations and may offer new possibilities for quantum computing. X-ray and neutron scattering provide powerful, complementary tools for investigating these exotic states and their underlying interactions. In particular, resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) has emerged as an important technique for studying magnetic excitations in materials with strong spin-orbit coupling, such as iridates and ruthenium-based compounds. These materials can exhibit unusual bond-dependent magnetic interactions, known as Kitaev interactions, which are a key ingredient for realizing a Kitaev quantum spin liquid. In this talk, I will focus on -RuCl3, one of the most promising candidate Kitaev materials, and discuss how our X-ray and neutron scattering studies have advanced our understanding of its magnetic, electronic, and structural properties.