Quantum kagome antiferromagnet: ZnCu3(OH)6Cl2

Abstract

Herbertsmithite, ZnCu3(OH)6Cl2, is the prototype candidate for a spin liquid behavior on a geometrically perfect kagome lattice. Its discovery and the absence of any evidence for spin-freezing down to the lowest probed temperature to-date enable one to explore the properties of kagome-related physics in an unprecedented temperature range. We review its properties and discuss some open issues. A tentative comparison to models is also performed.

Invited paper at the "International Conference on Frustration in Condensed Matter" (ICFCM), Sendai, Jan. 2011. The central aim of this small review paper is to update and complete a former review [P. Mendels and F. Bert, J. Phys. Soc. Jpn, Vol.79, 011001 (2010)] in the light of some recent results. Will be published in Journal of Physics: Conference Series. Version properly compiled now