Cascade of candidate spin liquids in a bilayer triangular-lattice antiferromagnet Rb2Co2(SeO3)3
In frustrated Ising magnets, classical spin liquids (CSLs) with macroscopic ground-state degeneracy can survive against conventional magnetic order. Here we report the discovery of a high-field route toward spin liquids in a bilayer triangular lattice antiferromagnet, Rb2Co2(SeO3)3. We demonstrate that field-controlled dilution of dimers gives rise to a cascade of candidate CSLs within an intermediate temperature regime. These states are characterized by correlated Ising dimers and are found to exhibit a macroscopic residual entropy of 1/2(1-M/Ms)Rln2, originating from doubly degenerate spin configurations. Owing to the interplay of intra- and inter-layer interactions, these CSLs are stabilized by lattice symmetry breaking, precursory to the low-temperature fractional magnetization plateaus. Such field-induced spin liquids can be understood as a consequence of generalized ice rules. In particular, the 5/6-plateau phase may host a quantum spin liquid ground state. Our results thereby establish a new pathway for exploring diverse spin liquid states across both classical and quantum regimes.
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Xu, X., Wang, Y., Gui, X., Luo, J., Duan, G., Shi, K., Wang, Z., Li, S., Ren, H., Xi, C., Ling, L., Wu, Z., Chen, Y., Bo, X., Shi, X., Du, K., Bian, R., Yang, J., Cui, Y., et al. (2026). Cascade of candidate spin liquids in a bilayer triangular-lattice antiferromagnet Rb2Co2(SeO3)3. Science Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scib.2026.08.052
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2-s2.0-105050603616
School of Physics
School of Physics
School of Physics
Institute of Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences
School of Physics
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Institute of Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences
Institute of Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chinese Academy of Sciences
2026
REVIEWED
EPFL
| Funder | Funding(s) | Grant Number | Grant URL |
National Key Research and Development Program of China | 2022YFA1403402,2023YFA1406500,2024YFA1409200,2024YFA1611302,2025YFA1412100,2025YFE0202100 | ||
Scientific Research Innovation Capability Support Project for Young Faculty | ZYGXQNJSKYCXNLZCXM-M26 | ||
National Natural Science Foundation of China | 12134020,12304170,12334008,12374142,12374156 | ||