- By:
- Luo, Yi ; Paddison, Joseph A; Ortiz, Brenden R; Knudtson, Miles; Wilson, Stephen; Liu, Jue ; Frandsen, Benjamin A.; Chen, Si ; Frontzek, Matthias D; Podlesnyak, Andrey A; Aczel, Adam A
- Journal Name:
- Materials Today Physics
- Page Number:
- 102169
- Volume:
- 67
- Issue Number:
- 102169
- Publication Date:
- August 11, 2026
- View DOI Listing:
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtphys.2026.102169
Abstract
We report a comprehensive bulk characterization and neutron scattering investigation of single-crystalline Pr2Sn2O7, a magnetic pyrochlore synthesized via a flux-growth method. Unpolarized neutron diffuse scattering reveals the emergence of spin-ice correlations below T ∼ 1 K, evidenced by the development of anisotropic pinch-point features that are consistent with quantum-spin-ice (QSI) behavior. A.C. susceptibility measurements indicate a progressive slowing of spin dynamics in this regime, culminating in complete spin freezing below Tf ≈ 0.15 K. Inelastic neutron scattering at T = 0.5 K reveals a broad spectrum of quasi-elastic magnetic excitations, with intensity in the low-energy range [0, 0.2] meV significantly suppressed below Tf. Meanwhile, an incipient (100)-type magnetic order begins to nucleate, and a gapped excitation centered at ℏω = 0.23 meV persists. We further identify two distinct dynamical timescales above Tf , a slow component τ_slow ∼ 10^−5 s and a fast component τ_fast ∼ 10^−10 s, in quantitative agreement with theoretical predictions for QSI systems. Taken together, these results indicate that Pr2Sn2O7 enters a disorder-induced spin-frozen phase below Tf , lying in close proximity to a U(1) quantum spin liquid
