Low-energy behavior of spin-liquid electron spectral functions

TL;DR

This paper calculates the electron spectral functions for different spin-liquid states using slave-rotor mean-field theory, highlighting how these results differ from conventional theories and suggesting experimental ways to identify spin liquids.

Contribution

It provides theoretical predictions for electron spectral functions in spin liquids, incorporating gauge fluctuations, which can aid experimental identification of these states.

Findings

Spectral functions differ from conventional Mott insulators

Gauge fluctuations have minimal impact on spectral behavior

Results can guide ARPES experiments to detect spin liquids

Abstract

We calculate the electron spectral function for a spin-liquid with a spinon Fermi surface and a Dirac spin-liquid. Calculations are based upon the slave-rotor mean-field theory. We consider the effect of gauge fluctuations using a simple model and find the behavior is not strongly modified. The results, distinct from conventional Mott insulator or band theory predictions, suggest that measuring the spectral function e.g. via ARPES could help in the experimental verification and characterization of spin liquids.