We present the results of combined high pressure neutron and synchrotron X-ray diffraction study of the frustrated quantum magnet SrCu₂(BO₃)₂. This material has attracted considerable interest as a realization of the exactly solvable Shastry-Sutherland model. Recently various new phases including a novel four-spin plaquette singlet, an antiferromagnetic ordered state (AFM) and a monoclinic structurally distorted AFM have been observed under pressure [1] as well as other subtle interplays between the magnetic and the structural properties. The relation between the structural changes and the magnetic properties will be discussed as well as the different design of pressure cells used for the neutron scattering experiments.  

Reference

[1] M. E. Zayed et al., 4-spins plaquette singlet state in the Shastry–Sutherland compound SrCu₂(BO₃). Nature Physics 13, 962 (2017)

Acknowledgement  

M. E. Z. acknowledges the generous support of the Qatar Foundation through Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar’s Seed Research program. The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the author(s).