Dielectric Relaxation by Quantum Critical Magnons

Phys Rev Lett. 2023 May 26;130(21):216501. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.130.216501.

Abstract

We report the experimental observation of dielectric relaxation by quantum critical magnons. Complex capacitance measurements reveal a dissipative feature with a temperature-dependent amplitude due to low-energy lattice excitations and an activation behavior of the relaxation time. The activation energy softens close to a field-tuned magnetic quantum critical point at H=H_{c} and follows single-magnon energy for H>H_{c}, showing its magnetic origin. Our study demonstrates the electrical activity of coupled low-energy spin and lattice excitations, an example of quantum multiferroic behavior.

MeSH terms

  • Magnetic Fields*
  • Temperature