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Chiral Spin-Orbital Liquids with Nodal Lines
W M H Natori1, E C Andrade1,2, E Miranda3
1Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, C.P. 369, São Carlos, São Paulo 13560-970, Brazil.
Physical Review Letters
|July 16, 2016
Summary
We propose a chiral spin-orbital liquid in heavy-element double perovskites. This topological phase features Majorana fermion excitations and nodal lines, offering potential for novel quantum phenomena.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Quantum Materials
Background:
- Strongly correlated materials with strong spin-orbit coupling are key for topological phases.
- Fractionalized excitations are a hallmark of exotic quantum states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a chiral spin-orbital liquid as a stable phase in realistic heavy-element double perovskite models.
- To investigate the properties and experimental signatures of this proposed spin liquid state.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical modeling of heavy-element double perovskites.
- Analysis of spin-orbital liquid properties, including Majorana fermion excitations.
- Characterization of the topological nature of nodal lines and surface states.
Main Results:
- A stable chiral spin-orbital liquid phase is proposed.
- The state exhibits Majorana fermion excitations with a gapless spectrum and nodal lines.
- Nodal lines identified as topological defects of a non-Abelian Berry connection, leading to dispersing surface states.
Conclusions:
- The proposed chiral spin-orbital liquid is a promising topological phase.
- Experimental signatures are discussed and compared to the candidate material Ba_{2}YMoO_{6}.
- This work advances the understanding of topological phases in correlated materials.
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