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In the quest for realizations of quantum spin liquids, the exploration ofKitaev materials - spin-orbit entangled Mott insulators with strongbond-directional exchanges - has taken center stage. However, in thesematerials the local spin-orbital j=1/2 moments typically show long-rangemagnetic order at low temperature, thus defying the formation of a spin-liquidground state. Using resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS), we here reporton a proximate spin liquid regime with clear fingerprints of Kitaev physics inthe magnetic excitations of the honeycomb iridates alpha-Li2IrO3 and Na2IrO3.We observe a broad continuum of magnetic excitations that persists up to atleast 300K, more than an order of magnitude larger than the magnetic orderingtemperatures. We prove the magnetic character of this continuum by an analysisof the resonance behavior. RIXS measurements of the dynamical structure factorfor energies within the continuum show that dynamical spin-spin correlationsare restricted to nearest neighbors. Notably, these spectroscopic observationsare also present in the magnetically ordered state for excitation energiesabove the conventional magnon excitations. Phenomenologically, our data agreewith inelastic neutron scattering results on the related honeycomb compoundRuCl3, establishing a common ground for a proximate Kitaev spin-liquid regimein these materials.

Fingerprints of Kitaev physics in the magnetic excitations of honeycomb iridates