Zigzag type magnetic structure of the spin J eff = 1/2 compound α-RuCl3 as determined by neutron powder diffraction

Abstract

Using high intensity powder neutron diffraction the magnetic structure of a-RuCl3 has been determined. Following the magnetic propagation vector κ = (1/2, 0, 1/2) the J eff = 1/2 spins of Ru3+ adopt a Zigzag type arrangement on the honeycomb lattice of the layered P3112 structure. The magnetic moments are oriented perpendicular to the trigonal axis. Similarities and differences to previously published single crystal data are discussed. The low value of the magnetic moments, μRu = 0.5(1) μB indicates a possible closeness of α-RuCl3 to the Kitaev spin liquid state.