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Tunneling Spectroscopy of Quantum Spin Liquids
Elio J König1, Mallika T Randeria2, Berthold Jäck3
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Center for Materials Theory, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|January 15, 2021
Summary
We found that tunneling through a Kitaev quantum spin liquid (QSL) barrier creates a unique spin gap. This gap is a direct signature of fractionalized QSL excitations, observable in experiments.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Materials
- Spintronics
Background:
- Kitaev quantum spin liquids (QSLs) are exotic states of matter with fractionalized excitations.
- Understanding their spectroscopic signatures is crucial for experimental verification.
- Tunneling spectroscopy is a powerful probe for electronic and magnetic properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spectroscopic signatures of tunneling through a Kitaev quantum spin liquid (QSL) barrier.
- To identify unambiguous signatures of fractionalized QSL excitations.
- To propose experimental setups for observing these signatures.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical examination of tunneling conductance spectra.
- Inclusion of both elastic and inelastic tunneling processes.
- Analysis of spin-flip scattering at itinerant spinon modes.
- Consideration of magnetic field effects on QSL phase and tunneling.
Main Results:
- Spin-flip scattering at spinon modes generates a gapped contribution to the tunneling conductance.
- A characteristic spin gap is identified as a signature of fractionalized QSL excitations.
- Spectral modifications in a magnetic field were analyzed.
- A 1D lateral tunnel junction was proposed as a viable experimental setup.
Conclusions:
- The observed spin gap provides an unambiguous signature of fractionalized QSL excitations, distinct from magnons or phonons.
- The proposed 1D tunnel junction in a magnetic field is a promising avenue for experimental detection.
- The findings are generalizable to various QSLs with different spin correlator properties.
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