Title: Magnetic Excitations and Continuum of a Field-Induced Quantum Spin Liquid in $α$-RuCl$_3$,
Abstract: We report on terahertz spectroscopy of quantum spin dynamics in
$\alpha$-RuCl$_3$, a system proximate to the Kitaev honeycomb model, as a
function of temperature and magnetic field. An extended magnetic continuum
develops below the structural phase transition at $T_{s2}=62$K. With the onset
of a long-range magnetic order at $T_N=6.5$K, spectral weight is transferred to
a well-defined magnetic excitation at $\hbar \omega_1 = 2.48$meV, which is
accompanied by a higher-energy band at $\hbar \omega_2 = 6.48$meV. Both
excitations soften in magnetic field, signaling a quantum phase transition at
$B_c=7$T where we find a broad continuum dominating the dynamical response.
Above $B_c$, the long-range order is suppressed, and on top of the continuum,
various emergent magnetic excitations evolve. These excitations follow clear
selection rules and exhibit distinct field dependencies, characterizing the
dynamical properties of the field-induced quantum spin liquid.