Spin and density excitations in the triangular-lattice $t$-$J$ model with multiple-spin exchange interactions: $^3$He on graphite

TL;DR

This study uses exact diagonalization to analyze spin and density excitations in a triangular-lattice $t$-$J$ model with multiple-spin interactions, explaining anomalous properties of doped $^3$He on graphite.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed numerical analysis linking spin and density excitations to experimental anomalies in doped $^3$He on a triangular lattice.

Findings

Double-peak specific heat structure matches experiments.

Separation of energy scales in spin and density excitations.

Fermionic quasiparticles with enhanced effective mass observed.

Abstract

Using an exact diagonalization technique on small clusters, we study spin and density excitations of the triangular-lattice $t$-$J$ model with multiple-spin exchange interactions, whereby we consider anomalous properties observed in the doped Mott region of the two-dimensional liquid $^3$He adsorbed on a graphite surface. We find that the double-peak structure consistent with experiment appears in the calculated temperature dependence of the specific heat; the low-temperature sharp peak comes from the spin excitations reflecting the frustrated nature of the spin degrees of freedom and high-temperature broad peak comes from the density excitations extending over the entire band width. The clear separation in their energy scales is evident in the calculated spin and density excitation spectra. The calculated single-particle excitation spectra suggest the presence of fermionic quasiparticles dressed by the spin excitations, with an enhanced effective mass consistent with experiment.