biostudies-literatureIida KNIEHS NIH HHS1826https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6372599biostudies-literatureUnknown9(1)Molecular based spin-1/2 triangular lattice systems such as LiZn₂Mo₃O₈ have attracted research interest. Distortions, defects, and intersite disorder are suppressed in such molecular-based magnets, and intrinsic geometrical frustration gives rise to unconventional and unexpected ground states. Li₂AMo₃O₈ (A = In or Sc) is such a compound where spin-1/2 Mo₃O₁₃ clusters in place of Mo ions form the uniform triangular lattice. Their ground states are different according to the A site. Li₂InMo₃O₈ undergoes conventional 120° long-range magnetic order below T_N = 12 K whereas isomorphic Li₂ScMo₃O₈ exhibits no long-range magnetic order down to 0.5 K. Here, we report exotic magnetisms in Li₂InMo₃O₈ and Li₂ScMo₃O₈ investigated by muon spin rotation (μSR) and inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectroscopies using polycrystalline samples. Li₂InMo₃O₈ and Li₂ScMo₃O₈ show completely different behaviors observed in both μSR and INS measurements, representing their different ground states. Li₂InMo₃O₈ exhibits spin wave excitation which is quantitatively described by the nearest neighbor anisotropic Heisenberg model based on the 120° spin structure. In contrast, Li₂ScMo₃O₈ undergoes short-range magnetic order below 4 K with quantum-spin-liquid-like magnetic fluctuations down to the base temperature. Origin of the different ground states is discussed in terms of anisotropies of crystal structures and magnetic interactions.Scientific reportsQuantum magnetisms in uniform triangular lattices Li₂AMo₃O₈ (A = In, Sc).PMC637259927399I0001Iida KKoda AKatayama NOkabe HIshii YMurai NYoshida HInamura YKajimoto RIshikado MKadono RfalseQuantum magnetisms in uniform triangular lattices Li₂AMo₃O₈ (A = In, Sc).Molecular based spin-1/2 triangular lattice systems such as LiZn₂Mo₃O₈ have attracted research interest. Distortions, defects, and intersite disorder are suppressed in such molecular-based magnets, and intrinsic geometrical frustration gives rise to unconventional and unexpected ground states. Li₂AMo₃O₈ (A = In or Sc) is such a compound where spin-1/2 Mo₃O₁₃ clusters in place of Mo ions form the uniform triangular lattice. Their ground states are different according to the A site. Li₂InMo₃O₈ undergoes conventional 120° long-range magnetic order below T_N = 12 K whereas isomorphic Li₂ScMo₃O₈ exhibits no long-range magnetic order down to 0.5 K. Here, we report exotic magnetisms in Li₂InMo₃O₈ and Li₂ScMo₃O₈ investigated by muon spin rotation (μSR) and inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectroscopies using polycrystalline samples. Li₂InMo₃O₈ and Li₂ScMo₃O₈ show completely different behaviors observed in both μSR and INS measurements, representing their different ground states. Li₂InMo₃O₈ exhibits spin wave excitation which is quantitatively described by the nearest neighbor anisotropic Heisenberg model based on the 120° spin structure. In contrast, Li₂ScMo₃O₈ undergoes short-range magnetic order below 4 K with quantum-spin-liquid-like magnetic fluctuations down to the base temperature. Origin of the different ground states is discussed in terms of anisotropies of crystal structures and magnetic interactions.2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Feb2024-11-11T19:38:38.567Z2019-03-26T22:55:43ZS-EPMC63725993075569210.1038/s41598-018-36123-7