RQMP Get-Together

The quest for quantum spin liquid in pyrochlore lattices

Avner Fitterman

Université de Montréal

Pyrochlores are a certain type of lattice that presents a peculiar spin behavior upon cooling [1]. Some of them appear to have a massive level of entanglement [2], known as quantum spin liquid (QSL) [3]. Initially, it was described as the pairing up of spins in a 2-dimensional triangular lattice into singlet states. According to this description, instead of a ground state of independent spins, one has a superposition of different singlet pair configurations. A piece of evidence for the merge between this abstract notion of QSL and common materials was found in pyrochlores. Numerous materials have a pyrochlore-type structure, and this research aims to add data points to this phase diagram, thereby clarifying more the interplay between the lattice's structure and its ability to host this unique phase of QSL.

[1] Theory of multiple-phase competition in pyrochlore magnets with anisotropic exchange with application to Yb2Ti2O7, Er2Ti2O7, and Er2Sn2O7. Yan et al. 2017
[2] Spin liquids in frustrated magnets, L. Balents. 2010
[3] Resonating valence bonds: a new kind of insulator? P.W. Anderson. 1973