Hydrothermal growth of single crystals of the quantum magnets: Clinoatacamite, paratacamite, and herbertsmithite

Abstract

We present a hydrothermal method for growing millimeter-sized crystals of the quantum magnets with formula Cu4−xZnx(OH)6Cl2: clinoatacamite (x=0), paratacamite (0.33<x<1) and herbertsmithite (x=1). These highly pure single crystals have been characterized by x-ray diffraction, chemical analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. This synthesis success opens the door for detailed investigations of the magnetic ground-state properties of these compounds.