Non-linear spin wave theory results for the frustrated S = 1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on a body-centered cubic lattice

TL;DR

This study uses non-linear spin wave theory to analyze the zero-temperature phases of the frustrated S=1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on a body-centered cubic lattice, revealing enhanced magnetization due to spin-wave interactions and confirming a first-order phase transition.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of quartic spin-wave corrections in this model, showing their effect on magnetization and phase transition nature.

Findings

Quartic corrections enhance sublattice magnetization in both phases.

The first order phase transition persists with quartic corrections.

Magnetization corrections are significant near the classical transition point.

Abstract

At zero temperature the sublattice magnetization of the quantum spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on a body-centered cubic lattice with competing first and second neighbor exchange (J1 and J2) is investigated using the non-linear spin wave theory. The zero temperature phases of the model consist of a two sublattice N\'{e}el phase for small J_2 (AF_1) and a collinear phase at large J_2 (AF_2). We show that quartic corrections due to spin-wave interactions enhance the sublattice magnetization in both the AF_1 and the AF_2 phase. The magnetization corrections are prominent near the classical transition point of the model and in the J_2> J_1 regime. The ground state energy with quartic interactions is also calculated. It is found that up to quartic corrections the first order phase transition (previously observed in this model) between the AF_1 and the AF_2 phase survives.