Stripe fractionalization II: the quantum spin nematic and the Abrikosov lattice

TL;DR

This paper explores the emergence of quantum spin nematic order and antiferromagnetism in superconductors with stripe fractionalization, linking gauge theory phenomena to observable magnetic properties.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of vortex-induced topological interactions leading to antiferromagnetic order in stripe fractionalized superconductors.

Findings

Vortices destroy gauge symmetry locally, inducing topological interactions.

A globally ordered antiferromagnet emerges at finite vortex density.

Provides a potential explanation for magnetic observations in underdoped 214 systems.

Abstract

In part (I) of this two paper series on stripe fractionalization, we argued that in principle the `domain wall-ness' of the stripe phase could persist in the spin and charge disordered superconductors, and we demonstrated how this physics is in one-to-one correspondence with Ising gauge theory. Here we focus on yet another type of order suggested by the gauge theory: the quantum spin nematic. Although it is not easy to measure this order directly, we argue that the superconducting vortices act as perturbations destroying the gauge symmetry locally. This turns out to give rise to a simple example of a gauge-theoretical phenomenon known as topological interaction. As a consequence, at any finite vortex density a globally ordered antiferromagnet emerges. This offers a potential explanation for recent observations in the underdoped 214 system.