We report inelastic neutron scattering measurements on Na2IrO3, a candidate for the Kitaev spin model on the honeycomb lattice. We observe spin-wave excitations below 5 meV with a dispersion that can be accounted for by including substantial further-neighbor exchanges that stabilize zigzag magnetic order. The onset of long-range magnetic order below T(N)=15.3 K is confirmed via the observation of oscillations in zero-field muon-spin rotation experiments. Combining single-crystal diffraction and density functional calculations we propose a revised crystal structure model with significant departures from the ideal 90° Ir-O-Ir bonds required for dominant Kitaev exchange.

Spin Waves and Revised Crystal Structure of Honeycomb Iridate<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:msub><mml:mi>Na</mml:mi><mml:mn>2</mml:mn></mml:msub><mml:msub><mml:mi>IrO</mml:mi><mml:mn>3</mml:mn></mml:msub></mml:math>

Spin Waves and Revised Crystal Structure of Honeycomb IridateNa2IrO3