In this paper, we explore the relationship between strong spin-orbit coupling and spin liquid physics. We study a very general model on the triangular lattice where spin-orbit coupling leads to the presence of highly anisotropic interactions. We use variational Monte Carlo to study both U(1) U ( 1 ) quantum spin liquid states and ordered ones, via the Gutzwiller projected fermion construction. We thereby obtain the ground state phase diagram in this phase space. We furthermore consider effects beyond the Gutzwiller wavefunctions for the spinon Fermi surface quantum spin liquid, which are of particular importance when spin-orbit coupling is present.In this paper, we explore the relationship between strong spin-orbit coupling and spin liquid physics. We study a very general model on the triangular lattice where spin-orbit coupling leads to the presence of highly anisotropic interactions. We use variational Monte Carlo to study both U(1) U ( 1 ) quantum spin liquid states and ordered ones, via the Gutzwiller projected fermion construction. We thereby obtain the ground state phase diagram in this phase space. We furthermore consider effects beyond the Gutzwiller wavefunctions for the spinon Fermi surface quantum spin liquid, which are of particular importance when spin-orbit coupling is present.

arXiv:1708.07856SciPost PhysicsJan 19, 201863 citations

Spin Liquid in the Triangular Lattice Heisenberg Model

Ian P. McCulloch, S. N. Saadatmand

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyMar 14, 20160 citations

Quantum spin liquids in weak Mott insulators with spin-orbit coupling

Asimpunya Mitra, Daniel J. Schultz, Yong Baek Kim

The weak Mott insulating regime of the triangular lattice Hubbard model exhibits a rich magnetic phase diagram as a result of the ring exchange interaction in the spin Hamiltonian. These phases include the Kalmeyer-Laughlin type chiral spin liquid (CSL) and a valence bond solid (VBS). A natural question arises regarding the robustness of these phases in the presence of a weak spin-orbit coupling (SOC). In this study, we derive the effective spin model for the spin-orbit coupled triangular lattice Hubbard model in the weak Mott insulting regime, including all SOC-mediated spin-bilinear and ring-exchange interactions. We then construct a simplified spin model keeping only the most relevant SOC-mediated spin interactions. Using infinite density matrix renormalization group (iDMRG), we show that the CSL and VBS phases of the triangular lattice Hubbard model can be stabilized in the presence of a weak SOC. The stabilization results from a compensation between the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction and a SOC-mediated ring-exchange interaction. We also provide additional qualitative arguments to intuitively understand the compensation mechanism in the iDMRG quantum phase diagrams. This mechanism for stabilization can potentially be useful for the experimental realization of quantum spin liquids.The weak Mott insulating regime of the triangular lattice Hubbard model exhibits a rich magnetic phase diagram as a result of the ring exchange interaction in the spin Hamiltonian. These phases include the Kalmeyer-Laughlin type chiral spin liquid (CSL) and a valence bond solid (VBS). A natural question arises regarding the robustness of these phases in the presence of a weak spin-orbit coupling (SOC). In this study, we derive the effective spin model for the spin-orbit coupled triangular lattice Hubbard model in the weak Mott insulting regime, including all SOC-mediated spin-bilinear and ring-exchange interactions. We then construct a simplified spin model keeping only the most relevant SOC-mediated spin interactions. Using infinite density matrix renormalization group (iDMRG), we show that the CSL and VBS phases of the triangular lattice Hubbard model can be stabilized in the presence of a weak SOC. The stabilization results from a compensation between the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction and a SOC-mediated ring-exchange interaction. We also provide additional qualitative arguments to intuitively understand the compensation mechanism in the iDMRG quantum phase diagrams. This mechanism for stabilization can potentially be useful for the experimental realization of quantum spin liquids.

arXiv:2404.05806Physical review. B./Physical review. BOct 10, 20243 citations

A quantum phase transition for a spin liquid

Anonymous

PhysicsFeb 12, 20090 citations

Spin Liquid Phase in Anisotropic Triangular Lattice Heisenberg Model

M. Q. Weng, D. N. Sheng, Zheng-Yu Weng +1 more

Aug 8, 20050 citations

Quantum phase transition in the SU(4) spin-orbital model on the triangular lattice

Karlo Penc, Matthieu Mambrini, P. Fazekas +1 more

Motivated by the absence of a cooperative Jahn-Teller effect in ${\mathrm{LiNiO}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{BaVS}}_{3},$ two layered oxides with triangular planes, we study the SU(4) symmetric spin-orbital model on the triangular lattice. Upon reducing the next-nearest-neighbor coupling, we show that the system undergoes a quantum phase transition to a liquid phase. A variational approach to this liquid phase shows that simple types of long-range correlations are suppressed, suggesting that it is stable against lattice distortions.Motivated by the absence of a cooperative Jahn-Teller effect in ${\mathrm{LiNiO}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{BaVS}}_{3},$ two layered oxides with triangular planes, we study the SU(4) symmetric spin-orbital model on the triangular lattice. Upon reducing the next-nearest-neighbor coupling, we show that the system undergoes a quantum phase transition to a liquid phase. A variational approach to this liquid phase shows that simple types of long-range correlations are suppressed, suggesting that it is stable against lattice distortions.

arXiv:cond-mat/0212211Physical review. B, Condensed matterJul 21, 200353 citations

Motivated by the absence of a cooperative Jahn-Teller effect in

{\mathrm{LiNiO}}_{2}

and

{\mathrm{BaVS}}_{3},

two layered oxides with triangular planes, we study the SU(4) symmetric spin-orbital model on the triangular lattice. Upon reducing the next-nearest-neighbor coupling, we show that the system undergoes a quantum phase transition to a liquid phase. A variational approach to this liquid phase shows that simple types of long-range correlations are suppressed, suggesting that it is stable against lattice distortions.