Magnetic properties of an effective spin-1/2 triangular-lattice compound LiYbS₂

Here, we report the synthesis and magnetic properties of a Yb-based triangular-lattice compound LiYbS₂. At low temperatures, it features an effective spin-1/2 state due to the combined effect of crystal electric field and spin orbit coupling. Magnetic susceptibility measurements and ⁷Li nuclear magnetic resonance experiments reveal the absence of magnetic long range ordering down to 2 K, which suggests a possible quantum spin liquid ground state. A dominant antiferromagnetic nearest neighbour exchange interaction J/k_B ≃ 5.3 K could be extracted form the magnetic susceptibility. The NMR linewidth analysis yields the coupling constant between the Li nuclei and Yb³⁺ ions which was found to be purely dipolar in nature. (author)