Exotic quantum phases in a frustrated quantum spin model on a honeycomb lattice

ORAL

Abstract

A quantum spin liquid is a phase that defies the usual conventions, i.e. quantum fluctuations prevent long range order even at $T = 0$. The search for models that exhibit this type of behavior has intensified in recent years. In this work, we utilize the Lanczos algorithm to study hard-core bosons on a frustrated honeycomb lattice with nearest-neighbor ($t$) and next-nearest-neighbor hoppings ($t^\prime$). The two limits of this model, $t^\prime / t = 0$ and $t^\prime / t = \infty$, favor two different superfluid phases. In between, we find that an anomalous phase is stabilized by the strong frustration in this system and compare its properties with a quantum spin liquid and a fragmented Bose-Einstein condensate.

*This research is supported by by US-ARO, JQI-NSF-PFC, and the Office of Naval Research.

Authors

  • Christopher Varney

    • Georgetown University / University of Maryland
    • University of Maryland / Georgetown University
  • Kai Sun

    • University of Maryland
    • Joint Quantum Institute and Condensed Matter Theory Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
    • JQI and CMTC, University Of Maryland
  • Victor Galitski

    • Dept. of Physics, University of Maryland
    • University of Maryland
    • University of Maryland College Park
    • University of Maryland, College Park
  • Marcos Rigol

    • Georgetown University
    • Department of Physics, Georgetown University