Coupling quantum spin ice to matter on the centered pyrochlore lattice

TL;DR

This paper explores how coupling dynamical matter to quantum spin ice on the centered pyrochlore lattice modifies emergent quantum electrodynamics, revealing a new quantum spin liquid phase distinct from traditional U(1) spin ice.

Contribution

It introduces a model of quantum spin ice coupled to dynamical matter on the centered pyrochlore lattice and identifies a novel quantum spin liquid phase through perturbation theory and exact diagonalization.

Findings

Discovery of a new quantum spin liquid phase with dynamical matter

Modification of emergent QED due to matter coupling

Potential quantum critical points within the phase diagram

Abstract

The low-energy physics of quantum spin ice is known to support an emergent form of quantum electrodynamics (QED), where magnetic monopoles exist and the fine structure constant is material dependent. In this article, we show how this QED is modified via a coupling to dynamical matter on the centered pyrochlore lattice, a structure which has recently been synthesized using metal-organic frameworks. Specifically, we study the low-energy properties of the $S = 1/2$ quantum XXZ model on the centered pyrochlore lattice, with a focus on the sign-problem free region. At fourth order in degenerate perturbation theory this model hosts a quantum spin liquid distinct from the well-known U(1) quantum spin ice on the pyrochlore due to the presence of dynamical matter in the ground state. Exact diagonalization results are consistent with this quantum spin liquid over an extended region of the ground state phase diagram although potential quantum critical points within this region could indicate a richer phase structure. Our work thus expands the physics of quantum spin ice in an experimentally motivated geometry, showing how the emergent QED can be coupled to dynamical matter at zero temperature.