Anisotropy, frustration, and saddle point in the twisted kagome compound ErPdPb
Phys. Rev. Materials 10, 065001 – Published 23 June, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/q617-lbw3
Abstract
The kagome lattice, with its inherent geometric frustration, provides a rich platform for exploring intriguing magnetic phenomena and topological electronic structures. In reduced-symmetry structures, such as twisted kagome systems involving rare earth elements, additional anisotropy can arise, enabling intriguing properties including spin-ice states, magnetocaloric effects, noncollinear magnetic ordering, and the anomalous Hall effect. Here, we report the synthesis of single crystals of ErPdPb, which features a twisted kagome lattice net of Er atoms within the hexagonal ZrNiAl-type structure, and we investigate its magnetic, electronic, and thermal properties. The material exhibits a highly anisotropic, correlated magnetic state below 2.7 K, as evidenced by magnetic, transport, and heat capacity measurements. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate strong easy-axis anisotropy, consistent with experiment and crystal-field expectations, as well as quasi-one-dimensional bands and a spin-split saddle point at the zone center. The coexistence of competing magnetic interactions along different crystallographic directions suggests an inherent degree of frustration. ErPdPb thus provides a promising platform for exploring the interplay of frustration, anisotropy, and electronic structure in a twisted kagome lattice.
Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)
Corrections
6 August, 2026
Correction: The title contained an incorrect term and has been modified.
Collections
This article appears in the following collection:
Quantum Phenomena in Kagome Materials
The Editors of Physical Review Materials are pleased to present the Collection on Quantum Phenomena in Kagome Materials, highlighting cutting-edge advances in theory, synthesis, properties and applications of kagome materials. The Collection is being guest-edited by Mingda Li (MIT), Xiangang Wan (Nanjing University) and Linda Ye (Caltech). Every article published in this collection underwent a rigorous peer review process, adhering to the same high standards applied to all papers. The Physical Review Materials editorial team managed the peer review and made all editorial decisions.
