Cobalt Thin Film Offers Cheaper Route to Kitaev Quantum Materials

Researchers created a NaSbO3 thin film doped with about 4% cobalt, where cobalt atoms form local honeycomb CoO6 motifs with strong magnetic interactions typical of Kitaev materials. A ferromagnetic-like signal appears near 88 K, offering a cheaper alternative to rare metals like ruthenium and iridium.

• NaSbO3 film with ~4% cobalt forms local CoO6 honeycomb motifs
• Ferromagnetic-like magnetic signal observed near 88 K
• Cobalt is cheaper and more abundant than ruthenium and iridium
• Quantum spin liquid behavior has not yet been confirmed