Hydrothermal growth of single crystals of the quantum magnets: Clinoatacamite, paratacamite, and herbertsmithite

We present a hydrothermal method for growing millimeter-sized crystals of the quantum magnets with formula Cu4-xZnx(OH)(6)Cl-2: clinoatacamite (x=0), paratacamite (0.33 < x < 1) and herbertsmithite (x=1). These highly pure single crystals have been characterized by x-ray diffraction, chemical analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. This synthesis success opens the door for detailed investigations of the magnetic ground-state properties of these compounds. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3562010]