The SU(3) bosons and the spin nematic state on the spin-1 bilinear-biquadratic triangular lattice

TL;DR

This paper develops a bond-operator mean-field theory using SU(3) bosons to describe the antiferro-nematic phase in a spin-1 bilinear-biquadratic model on a triangular lattice, revealing complex ordering phenomena.

Contribution

It introduces a novel SU(3) bosons-based mean-field approach to analyze the antiferro-nematic phase, highlighting the coexistence of ferro- and antiferro-quadruple orders.

Findings

Antiferro-nematic state may exhibit both ferro- and antiferro-quadruple long-range orders.

The theory suggests possible influence on spin wave analysis of this phase.

Relevance to the quasi-two-dimensional triangular material NiGa2S4 is proposed.

Abstract

A bond-operator mean-field theory in the SU(3) bosons representation is developed to describe the antiferro-nematic phase of the spin-1 bilinear-biquadratic model. The calculated static structure factors reveal delicately that the antiferro-nematic state may exhibit both the ferro- and antiferro-quadruple long-range orders, which is reminiscent of the ferrimagnets or the canted antiferromagnets. This result may influence the spin wave theory concerned with this phase. Possible relevance of this unconventional state to the quasi-two-dimensional triangular material NiGa2S4 is addressed.