Publication Type
Journal
Journal Name
Physical Review B
Publication Date
Page Number
144432
Volume
101
Issue
14
Abstract
We use neutron scattering and bulk property measurements to determine the single-ion crystal-field Hamiltonians of delafossites KErSe2 and CsErSe2. These two systems contain planar equilateral triangular Er lattices arranged in two stacking variants: rhombohedral (for K) or hexagonal (Cs). Our analysis shows that regardless of the stacking order both compounds exhibit an easy-plane ground-state doublet with large Jz=1/2 terms and the potential for significant quantum effects, making them candidates for quantum-spin-liquid or other exotic ground states.
