Dynamical Signatures of Rank-2 $U(1)$ Spin Liquids

TL;DR

This paper investigates the dynamical spin structure factor of rank-2 U(1) spin liquids on a breathing pyrochlore lattice, revealing unique signatures that distinguish them from conventional U(1) spin liquids, aiding experimental detection.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of dynamical signatures of rank-2 U(1) spin liquids in a classical limit, offering a new method for experimental identification.

Findings

Identified unique dynamical signatures of R2-U1 spin liquids.

Contrasted R2-U1 signatures with conventional U(1) spin liquids.

Suggested inelastic neutron scattering as a detection method.

Abstract

Emergent $U(1)$ gauge theories and artificial photons in frustrated magnets are outstanding examples of many-body collective phenomena. The classical and quantum regimes of these systems provide platforms for classical and quantum spin liquids, and are the subject of current active theoretical and experimental investigations. Recently, realizations of rank-2 $U(1)$ (R2-U1) gauge theories in three-dimensional frustrated magnets have been proposed. Such systems in the quantum regime may lead to the so-called fracton ordered phases -- a new class of topological order that has been associated with quantum stabilizer codes and holography. However, there exist few distinguishing characteristics of these states for their detection in real materials. Here we focus on the classical limit, and present the dynamical spin structure factor for a R2-U1 spin liquid state on a breathing pyrochlore lattice. Remarkably, we find unique signatures of the R2-U1 state, and we contrast them with the results obtained from a more conventional $U(1)$ spin liquid. These results provide a new path of investigation for future inelastic neutron scattering experiments on candidate materials.