Chasing a new paradigm in frustrated magnets : 1st experiment on rare earth antiperovskite (WISH)

Our recent theoretical work suggests that the antiperovskite lattice with Ising spins can host a variety of exotic phases and be a promising new playground for frustrated magnets with fragmented spin ice states and emergent monopoles. Experimental realizations of such an idealized system are needed but the required topology using large Ising spins is difficult to achieve due to chemical constraints. We have identified a suitable candidate in Ho3(PN4)O which has recently been synthesized via a high pressure-high temperature route. We propose neutron powder diffraction measurements at ultra-low temperatures on this new compound to determine the ground state of this exciting new rare-earth anti-perovskite within the context of our theoretical work. We have also applied for muon spin relaxation measurements on EMU in this current round.