Dynamics and Transport of the ${Z}_{2}$ Spin Liquid: Application to $\ensuremath{\kappa}\mathrm{\text{\ensuremath{-}}}(\mathrm{ET}{)}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{2}(\mathrm{CN}{)}_{3}$

Dynamics and Transport of the $Z_{2}$ Spin Liquid: Application to $κ − (ET)_{2} {Cu}_{2} (CN)_{3}$

Yang Qi, Cenke Xu, and Subir Sachdev

Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 176401 – Published 29 April 2009; Erratum Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 189903 (2009)

Abstract

We describe neutron scattering, NMR relaxation, and thermal transport properties of $Z_{2}$ spin liquids in two dimensions. Comparison to recent experiments on the spin $S = 1 / 2$ triangular lattice antiferromagnet in $κ − (ET)_{2} {Cu}_{2} (CN)_{3}$ shows that this compound may realize a $Z_{2}$ spin liquid. We argue that the topological “vison” excitations dominate thermal transport, and that recent thermal conductivity experiments by M. Yamashita et al. have observed the vison gap.