Beyond Kitaev physics in strong spin-orbit coupled magnets

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent progress and challenges in understanding the physics of strong spin-orbit coupled Kitaev materials beyond the idealized spin liquid point, emphasizing exchange interactions, correlated regimes, and new model insights.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of exchange interactions in iridates, systematic mapping of correlated regimes, and discusses recent advances in quasi-1D models and future research directions.

Findings

Identification of key exchange interactions in iridates

Mapping of correlated regimes in parameter space

Insights from analytical and numerical studies

Abstract

We review the recent advances and current challenges in the field of strong spin-orbit coupled Kitaev materials, with a particular emphasis on the physics beyond the exactly-solvable Kitaev spin liquid point. To that end, we give a comprehensive overview of the most relevant exchange interactions in $d^5$ and $d^7$ iridates and similar compounds, an exposition of their microscopic origin, and a systematic attempt to map out the most interesting correlated regimes of the multi-dimensional parameter space, guided by powerful symmetry and duality transformations as well as by insights from wide-ranging analytical and numerical studies. We also survey recent exciting results on quasi-1D models and discuss their relevance to higher-dimensional models. Finally, we highlight some of the key questions in the field as well as future directions.