Quantum spin ice with frustrated transverse exchange: from pi-flux phase to nematic quantum spin liquid

TL;DR

This paper investigates how frustrated transverse exchange in quantum spin ice materials leads to a transition from a pi-flux U(1) quantum spin liquid to a nematic quantum spin liquid, revealing new phases and behaviors.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive study of frustrated transverse exchange effects in quantum spin ice, identifying a transition to a nematic quantum spin liquid at an SU(2) symmetric point.

Findings

U(1) pi-flux quantum spin liquid transitions to nematic quantum spin liquid

Transition occurs at a high-symmetry SU(2) point

Multiple computational methods confirm the phase change

Abstract

Quantum spin ice materials, pyrochlore magnets with competing Ising and transverse exchange interactions, have been widely discussed as candidates for a quantum spin-liquid ground state. Here, motivated by quantum chemical calculations for Pr pyrochlores, we present the results of a study for frustrated transverse exchange. Using a combination of variational calculations, exact diagonalisation, numerical linked-cluster and series expansions, we find that the previously-studied U(1) quantum spin liquid, in its pi-flux phase, transforms into a nematic quantum spin liquid at a high-symmetry, SU(2) point.