Physics – Condensed Matter – Strongly Correlated Electrons
Scientific paper
2009-12-30
Phys. Rev. B 81, 125127 (2010)
Physics
Condensed Matter
Strongly Correlated Electrons
10 pages, 9 figures, references added
Scientific paper
10.1103/PhysRevB.81.125127
We present an analytical model of orbital ordering in vanadium spinel MnV2O4. The model is based on recent first-principles calculation indicating a strong trigonal distortion at the vanadium sites of this compound [Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 216405 (2009)]. At the single-ion level, the trigonal crystal field leaves a doubly degenerate atomic ground state and breaks the approximate rotational symmetry of t2g orbitals. We find that the effective interaction between the low-energy doublets is described by a quantum antiferromagnetic 120-degree model on the pyrochlore lattice. We obtain the classical ground state and show its stability against quantum fluctuations. The corresponding orbital order consisting of two inequivalent orbital chains is consistent with the experimentally observed tetragonal symmetry. A periodic modulation of electron density function along orbital chains is shown to arise from the staggering of local trigonal axes. In the presence of orbital order, single-ion spin anisotropy arising from relativistic spin-orbit interaction stabilizes the experimentally observed orthogonal magnetic structure.
Chern Gia-Wei
Hao Zhihao
Perkins Natalia
No associations
LandOfFree
Quantum 120-degree model on pyrochlore lattice: orbital ordering in MnV2O4 does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Quantum 120-degree model on pyrochlore lattice: orbital ordering in MnV2O4, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Quantum 120-degree model on pyrochlore lattice: orbital ordering in MnV2O4 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-103398