Valence bond crystal in a pyrochlore antiferromagnet with orbital degeneracy

Details Valence bond crystal in a pyrochlore antiferromagnet with orbital degeneracy Valence bond crystal in a pyrochlore antiferromagnet with orbital degeneracy

2004-04-06

arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0404127v2

Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 077208 (2004)

Physics

Condensed Matter

Strongly Correlated Electrons

some changes in the text; to appear in Phys. Rev. Lett

Scientific paper

10.1103/PhysRevLett.93.077208

We discuss the ground state of a pyrochlore lattice of threefold-orbitally-degenerate $S=1/2$ magnetic ions. We derive an effective spin-orbital Hamiltonian and show that the orbital degrees of freedom can modulate the spin exchange, removing the infinite spin-degeneracy characteristic of pyrochlore structures. The resulting state is a collection of spin-singlet dimers, with a residual degeneracy due to their relative orientation. This latter is lifted by a magneto-elastic interaction, induced in the spin-singlet phase-space, that forces a tetragonal distortion. Such a theory provides an explanation for the helical spin-singlet pattern observed in the B-spinel MgTi$_2$O$_4$.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Valence bond crystal in a pyrochlore antiferromagnet with orbital degeneracy 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 Valence bond crystal in a pyrochlore antiferromagnet with orbital degeneracy, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Valence bond crystal in a pyrochlore antiferromagnet with orbital degeneracy will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-600756