Quantum Phases and Spin Liquid Properties of 1T-TaS2

Quantum materials exhibiting magnetic frustration are connected to diverse phenomena including high-Tc superconductivity, topological order and quantum spin liquids (QSLs). A QSL is a quantum phase (QP) related to a quantum-entangled fluid-like state of matter. Previous experiments on QSL candidate materials are usually interpreted in terms of a single QP, although theories indicate that many distinct QPs are closely competing in typical frustrated spin models. Here we report on combined temperature-dependent muon spin relaxation and specific heat measurements for the triangular-lattice QSL candidate material 1T-TaS2 that provide evidence for competing QPs. The measured properties are assig…