Majorana fermions in the Kitaev quantum spin system alpha-RuCl3

Abstract

Geometrical constraints to the electronic degrees of freedom within condensed-matter systems often give rise to topological quantum states of matter such as fractional quantum Hall states, topological insulators, and Weyl semimetals(1-3). In magnetism, theoretical studies predict an entangled magnetic quantum state with topological ordering and fractionalized spin excitations, the quantum spin liquid(4). In particular, the so-called Kitaev spin model(5), consisting of a network of spins on a honeycomb lattice, is predicted to host Majorana fermions as its excitations. By means of a combination of specific heat measurements and inelastic neutron scattering experiments, we demonstrate the emergence of Majorana fermions in single crystals of alpha-RuCl3, an experimental realization of the Kitaev spin lattice. The specific heat data unveils a two-stage release of magnetic entropy that is characteristic of localized and itinerant Majorana fermions. The neutron scattering results corroborate this picture by revealing quasielastic excitations at low energies around the Brillouin zone centre and an hour-glass-like magnetic continuum at high energies. Our results confirm the presence of Majorana fermions in the Kitaev quantum spin liquid and provide an opportunity to build a unified conceptual framework for investigating fractionalized excitations in condensed matter(1,6-8).