Possible Quantum Diffusion of Polaronic Muons in Dy2Ti2O7 Spin Ice
Abstract
We interpret recent measurements of the zero field muon relaxation rate in the frustrated magnetic pyrochlore Dy2Ti2O7 as resulting from the quantum diffusion of muons in the substance. In this scenario, the plateau observed at low temperature (<7 K) in the relaxation rate is due to coherent tunneling of the muons through a spatially disordered spin state and not to any magnetic fluctuations persisting at low temperature. Two further regimes either side of a maximum relaxation rate at T* = 50 K correspond to a crossover between tunnelling and incoherent activated hopping motion of the muon. Our fit of the experimental data is compared with the case of muonium diffusion in KCl.
Turn this paper into a lesson
ArcXiv compiles a structured reading guide from this paper's metadata: plain-English importance, contributions, prerequisite concepts, which sections to read first, flashcards, and a quiz. Grounded in the abstract, never invented.