Collinear antiferromagnetic order in a quasi-two-dimensional triangular lattice compound
Phys. Rev. Materials 9, 114402 – Published 3 November, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/p44f-rl47
Abstract
The two-dimensional magnetic triangular lattice, with rare-earth local moments coupled through long-range interactions and hosting strong spin-orbit coupling, serves as an ideal platform for exploring novel quantum phenomena. Here, we report the physical properties of single crystals through comprehensive structural, magnetic, heat capacity, electrical transport, and neutron powder diffraction measurements. crystallizes in a trigonal lattice with the space group , where Dy atoms form two-dimensional triangular lattice layers within the plane and stack along the axis. Magnetic susceptibility measurement reveals a magnetic phase transition at = 9.0 K, further confirmed by the -shaped peak in the heat capacity curve. The obtained temperature-magnetic field phase diagram is relatively simple compared to other isostructural compounds, suggesting the absence of magnetic frustration. This is further evidenced by neutron powder diffraction, which shows a collinear antiferromagnetic ground state with a propagation vector = (0, 0, 1.5), implying the absence of magnetic frustration in . In this magnetic structure, Dy moments are aligned ferromagnetically within each triangular layer and arranged antiferromagnetically between adjacent layers along the axis. Our results establish as a model system for understanding the interplay between RKKY interaction and geometrical frustration in this family of compounds.