Quantum order by disorder in a spin-one frustrated magnet on the kagome lattice

TL;DR

This paper investigates the quantum phases of a spin-one kagome lattice magnet, revealing differences from previous theoretical predictions through Quantum Monte Carlo simulations, and discusses implications for analytical methods.

Contribution

It provides a critical Quantum Monte Carlo analysis that challenges existing theoretical predictions of quantum phases in a spin-one kagome magnet.

Findings

Quantum Monte Carlo results differ from some prior predictions.

The phase diagram shows new quantum ground states not previously identified.

Implications for analytical approaches are discussed.

Abstract

We study the XXZ spin-one quantum magnet on the kagome lattice as an example where quantum fluctuations on highly degenerate classical ground states lead to various exotic quantum ground states. Previous studies have predicted several quantum phases, but different analytical approaches do not necessarily lead to the same physical picture. In this work, we use Quantum Monte Carlo computations to critically examine some of the predictions made in the string-net mean-field theory and the degenerate perturbation theory combined with duality analysis and effective field theory. It is found that the resulting phase diagram differs from some of the previous predictions. Further implications of our results to different analytical approaches are discussed.