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Probing Majorana Wave Functions in Kitaev Honeycomb Spin Liquids with Second-Order Two-Dimensional Spectroscopy
Yihua Qiang1,2, Victor L Quito1,2,3, Thaís V Trevisan1,2
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, <a href="https://ror.org/04rswrd78">Iowa State University</a>, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|October 7, 2024
Summary
Two-dimensional coherent terahertz spectroscopy (2DCS) reveals unique fingerprints of quantum spin liquid states in Kitaev magnets. This technique directly probes fractionalized excitations and Majorana wave functions, guiding future experiments.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Materials Science
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Two-dimensional coherent terahertz spectroscopy (2DCS) is a powerful technique for studying excitations in quantum materials.
- Identifying unique signatures of exotic fractionalized excitations in quantum spin liquids remains a significant challenge.
- Quantum magnets, particularly Kitaev models, host complex emergent phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To theoretically investigate the potential of 2DCS for identifying spin liquid states in quantum magnets.
- To calculate the second-order 2DCS response of the Kitaev honeycomb model.
- To establish direct links between 2DCS spectral features and the properties of fractionalized excitations.
Main Methods:
- Calculation of the second-order nonlinear response (χ(2)) of the Kitaev honeycomb model.
- Utilizing crossed light polarizations in the 2DCS simulation.
- Relating off-diagonal 2DCS peaks to Majorana excitations and their localization.
Main Results:
- Distinct spin liquid fingerprints were identified in the calculated second-order 2DCS (χ(2)yzx(ω1,ω2)).
- Off-diagonal 2DCS peaks directly correlate with the localized nature of Majorana excitations.
- The technique probes the inverse participation ratio of Majorana wave functions.
Conclusions:
- Second-order 2DCS with crossed polarizations provides experimentally observable signatures of quantum spin liquid states.
- 2DCS can directly probe the properties of fractionalized Majorana excitations in Kitaev magnets.
- This work offers guidance for future experimental applications of 2DCS in quantum magnetism.
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