Quantum Kagome antiferromagnet ZnCu3(OH)6Cl2

Abstract

The frustration of antiferromagnetic interactions on the loosely connected kagome lattice associated to the enhancement of quantum fluctuations for S=1/2 spins was acknowledged long ago as a keypoint to stabilize novel ground states of magnetic matter. Only very recently, the model compound Herbersmithite, ZnCu3(OH)6Cl2, a structurally perfect kagome antiferromagnet, could be synthesized and enables a close comparison to theories. We review and classify various experimental results obtained over the past years and underline some of the pending issues.

23 pages, 16 figures, invited paper in J. Phys. Soc. Jpn, special topics issue on "Novel States of Matter Induced by Frustration", to be published in Jan. 2010