No Arabic abstract
Quantum spin liquids are long-range entangled phases whose magnetic correlations are determined by strong quantum fluctuations. While an overarching principle specifying the precise microscopic coupling scenarios for which quantum spin-liquid behavior arises is unknown, it is well-established that they are preferably found in spin systems where the corresponding classical limit of spin magnitudes $Srightarrowinfty$ exhibits a macroscopic ground state degeneracy, so-called classical spin liquids. Spiral spin liquids represent a special family of classical spin liquids where degenerate manifolds of spin spirals form closed contours or surfaces in momentum space. Here, we investigate the potential of spiral spin liquids to evoke quantum spin-liquid behavior when the spin magnitude is tuned from the classical $Srightarrowinfty$ limit to the quantum $S=1/2$ case. To this end, we first use the Luttinger-Tisza method to formulate a general scheme which allows one to construct new spiral spin liquids based on bipartite lattices. We apply this approach to the two-dimensional square lattice and the three-dimensional hcp lattice to design classical spiral spin-liquid phases which have not been previously studied. By employing the pseudofermion functional renormalization group (PFFRG) technique we investigate the effects of quantum fluctuations when the classical spins are replaced by quantum $S=1/2$ spins. We indeed find that extended spiral spin-liquid regimes change into paramagnetic quantum phases possibly realizing quantum spin liquids. Remnants of the degenerate spiral surfaces are still discernible in the momentum-resolved susceptibility, even in the quantum $S=1/2$ case. In total, this corroborates the potential of classical spiral spin liquids to induce more complex non-magnetic quantum phases.
Spiral spin liquids are unique classical spin liquids that occur in many frustrated spin systems, but do not comprise a new phase of matter. Owing to extensive classical ground-state degeneracy, the spins in a spiral spin liquid thermally fluctuate cooperatively from a collection of spiral configurations at low temperatures. These spiral propagation wavevectors form a continuous manifold in reciprocal space, textit{i.e.}, a spiral contour or a spiral surface, that strongly governs the low-temperature thermal fluctuations and magnetic physics. In this paper, the relevant spin models conveying the spiral spin liquid physics are systematically explored and the geometric origin of the spiral manifold is clarified in the model construction. The spiral spin liquids based on the dimension and the codimension of the spiral manifold are further clarified. For each class, the physical properties are studied both generally and for specific examples. The results are relevant to a wide range of frustrated magnets. A survey of materials is given and future experiments are suggested.
Spin liquids are quantum phases of matter that exhibit a variety of novel features associated with their topological character. These include various forms of fractionalization - elementary excitations that behave as fractions of an electron. While there is not yet entirely convincing experimental evidence that any particular material has a spin liquid ground state, in the past few years, increasing evidence has accumulated for a number of materials suggesting that they have characteristics strongly reminiscent of those expected for a quantum spin liquid.
Coulomb spin liquids are topological magnetic states obeying an emergent Gauss law. Little distinction has been made between different kinds of Coulomb liquids. Here we show how a series of distinct Coulomb liquids can be generated straightforwardly by varying the constraints on a classical spin system. This leads to pair creation, and coalescence, of topological defects of an underlying vector field. The latter makes higher-rank spin liquids, of recent interest in the context of fracton theories, with attendant multi-fold pinch points in the structure factor, appear naturally. New Coulomb liquids with an abundance of pinch points also arise. We thus establish a new and general route to uncovering exotic Coulomb liquids, via the manipulation of topological defects in momentum space.
Quantum spin liquids attract great interest due to their exceptional magnetic properties characterized by the absence of long-range order down to low temperatures despite the strong magnetic interaction. Commonly, these compounds are strongly correlated electron systems, and their electrodynamic response is governed by the Mott gap in the excitation spectrum. Here we summarize and discuss the optical properties of several two-dimensional quantum spin liquid candidates. First we consider the inorganic material Herbertsmithite ZnCu$_3$(OH)$_6$Cl$_2$ and related compounds, which crystallize in a kagome lattice. Then we turn to the organic compounds $beta^{prime}$-EtMe$_3$-Sb-[Pd(dmit)$_2$]$_2$, $kappa$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$Ag$_2$(CN)$_3$ and $kappa$-(BEDT-TTF)$_2$Cu$_2$(CN)$_3$, where the spins are arranged in an almost perfect triangular lattice, leading to strong frustration. Due to differences in bandwidth, the effective correlation strength varies over a wide range, leading to a rather distinct behavior as far as the electrodynamic properties are concerned. We discuss the spinon contributions to the optical conductivity in comparison to metallic quantum fluctuations in the vicinity of the Mott transition.
Quantum spin liquids provide paradigmatic examples of highly entangled quantum states of matter. Frustration is the key mechanism to favor spin liquids over more conventional magnetically ordered states. Here we propose to engineer frustration by exploiting the coupling of quantum magnets to the quantized light of an optical cavity. The interplay between the quantum fluctuations of the electro-magnetic field and the strongly correlated electrons results in a tunable long-range interaction between localized spins. This cavity-induced frustration robustly stabilizes spin liquid states, which occupy an extensive region in the phase diagram spanned by the range and strength of the tailored interaction. Remarkably, this occurs even in originally unfrustrated systems, as we showcase for the Heisenberg model on the square lattice.