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    Chiral crossroads in Ho3ScO6: Competing interactions on the maple-leaf lattice

    Pratyay Ghosh*

    • *Contact author: pratyay.ghosh@epfl.ch

    Phys. Rev. B 111, 224431 – Published 30 June, 2025

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/3zlw-hrbf

    Abstract

    Motivated by the recent observation of a uniform vector chirality (UVC) magnetic order in the maple-leaf lattice (MLL) realization Ho3ScO6 via powder neutron scattering experiments, we investigate the classical antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model on the maple-leaf lattice. The MLL features three symmetry-inequivalent nearest-neighbor couplings, Jd, Jt, and Jh. Previous studies, primarily focused on the case where Jt=Jh, identified a staggered vector chirality (SVC) order. Extending beyond this limit, we demonstrate that the SVC order remains stable across a broad parameter regime. However, we also find that the UVC order cannot emerge from the nearest-neighbor model alone. By introducing a farther-neighbor antiferromagnetic interaction Jx, we demonstrate that even a weak Jx can cause a first-order phase transition from SVC to UVC order. Using linear spin wave theory, we compute the dynamical spin structure factor, revealing distinct signatures for SVC and UVC orders that can be probed through inelastic neutron scattering experiments. Additionally, we calculate the specific heat, which exhibits qualitative agreement with the experimental data for Ho3ScO6. Our findings provide a minimal framework for understanding Ho3ScO6 and related MLL systems, like MgMn3O7·3H2O, suggesting avenues for further experimental and theoretical investigations.

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