Hole propagation in the orbital compass models

TL;DR

This paper investigates how a single hole moves in a generalized quantum compass model, revealing coherent propagation mechanisms independent of quantum spin fluctuations, bridging different magnetic orders.

Contribution

It demonstrates that hole motion is coherent through interorbital and three-site hopping, regardless of quantum spin fluctuations, in a model interpolating between AF and nematic phases.

Findings

Coherent hole motion occurs via interorbital hopping.

Three-site effective hopping enables hole propagation.

Quantum spin fluctuations do not influence hole mobility.

Abstract

We explore the propagation of a single hole in the generalized quantum compass model which interpolates between fully isotropic antiferromagnetic (AF) phase in the Ising model and nematic order of decoupled AF chains for frustrated compass interactions. We observe coherent hole motion due to either interorbital hopping or due to the three-site effective hopping, while quantum spin fluctuations in the ordered background do not play any role.