Muon spin rotation measurements have been performed on a powder sample of $\alpha -{\mathrm{RuCl}}_3$, a layered material in which Ru ions are arranged on a honeycomb lattice and which previously has been proposed to be close to a quantum spin liquid ground state. Our data reveal two distinct transitions at 11 and 14 K, which we interpret as originating from the onset of three-dimensional order and in-plane magnetic order, respectively. We identify, with the help of density functional theory calculations, likely muon stopping sites and combine these with dipolar field calculations to show that the two measured muon rotation frequencies are consistent with two inequivalent muon sites within a zigzag antiferromagnetic structure proposed previously.

• Received 15 April 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.94.020407