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Angle resolved Raman Spectroscopy of RuCl3 thin layers

POSTER

Abstract

Alpha-RuCl3 is a layered candidate material to host the Kitaev quantum spin liquid. However, the magnetic ground state of RuCl3 exhibits a zigzag antiferromagnetic (AFM) order, suggesting deviations from the pure Kitaev model. The in-plane zigzag AFM state corresponds to the orientation of the honeycomb lattice structure, whereas a method to easily determine the crystallographic axes for the exfoliated RuCl3 has not been established. We used angle resolved Raman spectroscopy to determine the in-plane crystal axes of exfoliated RuCl3. Samples were rotated in the xy-plane of the honeycomb lattice, and Raman spectra were taken in cross and parallel polarization configurations. By monitoring the Raman intensity from one of the Ag modes as a function of the rotational angle, we can determine the b-axis of the RuCl3 crystal. Our study provides a nondestructive and convenient method for determining the crystal orientation of RuCl3.

Authors

  • Isaac Morales

    Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX

  • Eric Davis

    University of Texas at Arlington, Sultan Qaboos University, UTA HEP group, Department of Integrated Bio \& Nano Systems, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Nano Tech Center, Texas Tech University, University of Michigan, University of Waerloo, Canada, Texas Tech University, Dept of Mechanical Eng, TTU; Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, TTU, Dept of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, TTU Health Sci Ctr, Dept of Physics and Astronomy, TTU, Dept of Mechanical Engineering, TTU, Dept of Physics and Astronomy, TTU; Sch of Health and Sci, Purdue Univ, Dept of Mathematical and Systems Engineering, Shizuoka Univ, Department of Physics, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, Department of Physics, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080., LeTourneau University, None, University of Waterloo, Canada, Texas Tech Univ, Trinity University, the University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada, University of Dallas, Liverpool John Moores University, University Of Houston, Biolog Department, TCU, Home Schooled high school student, Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • Eric Davis

    University of Texas at Arlington, Sultan Qaboos University, UTA HEP group, Department of Integrated Bio \& Nano Systems, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Nano Tech Center, Texas Tech University, University of Michigan, University of Waerloo, Canada, Texas Tech University, Dept of Mechanical Eng, TTU; Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, TTU, Dept of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, TTU Health Sci Ctr, Dept of Physics and Astronomy, TTU, Dept of Mechanical Engineering, TTU, Dept of Physics and Astronomy, TTU; Sch of Health and Sci, Purdue Univ, Dept of Mathematical and Systems Engineering, Shizuoka Univ, Department of Physics, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, Department of Physics, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080., LeTourneau University, None, University of Waterloo, Canada, Texas Tech Univ, Trinity University, the University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada, University of Dallas, Liverpool John Moores University, University Of Houston, Biolog Department, TCU, Home Schooled high school student, Los Alamos National Laboratory

  • Eric Davis

    University of Texas at Arlington, Sultan Qaboos University, UTA HEP group, Department of Integrated Bio \& Nano Systems, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Nano Tech Center, Texas Tech University, University of Michigan, University of Waerloo, Canada, Texas Tech University, Dept of Mechanical Eng, TTU; Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, TTU, Dept of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, TTU Health Sci Ctr, Dept of Physics and Astronomy, TTU, Dept of Mechanical Engineering, TTU, Dept of Physics and Astronomy, TTU; Sch of Health and Sci, Purdue Univ, Dept of Mathematical and Systems Engineering, Shizuoka Univ, Department of Physics, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, Department of Physics, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080., LeTourneau University, None, University of Waterloo, Canada, Texas Tech Univ, Trinity University, the University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada, University of Dallas, Liverpool John Moores University, University Of Houston, Biolog Department, TCU, Home Schooled high school student, Los Alamos National Laboratory