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Fractionalized Z_{2} Classical Heisenberg Spin Liquids
J Rehn1, Arnab Sen2, R Moessner1
1Max-Planck-Institut für Physik komplexer Systeme, 01187 Dresden, Germany.
Physical Review Letters
|February 11, 2017
Summary
Researchers discovered new classical spin liquid phases in Heisenberg models, exhibiting fractionalization with decaying correlations. This expands the understanding of these exotic quantum states beyond the known U(1) spin liquid.
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Quantum magnetism
Background:
- Quantum spin systems host diverse spin liquid phases.
- Classical Heisenberg models were previously known to exhibit only U(1) spin liquids with algebraic correlations and fractionalized impurity moments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel fractionalized spin liquid phases in classical Heisenberg models.
- To explore spin liquid behavior beyond the established U(1) type.
Main Methods:
- Development and analysis of two specific classical Heisenberg models.
- Investigation of spin correlations and fractionalization properties.
Main Results:
- Identification of two new classical Heisenberg models exhibiting fractionalization.
- Observation of exponentially decaying correlations alongside fractionalization, analogous to Z_{2} spin liquids.
- Characterization of fractionalized impurity moments, termed "orphan spins".
Conclusions:
- Classical spin liquids can exhibit fractionalization with exponentially decaying correlations.
- These findings suggest a broader classification of classical spin liquids is possible.
- Further systematic studies are warranted for classifying classical spin liquids.
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