The emergence of Resonating Valence Bond physics in spin-orbital models

TL;DR

This paper explores how orbital degeneracy in spin-orbital models can give rise to Resonating Valence Bond spin-orbital liquids, highlighting the potential for RVB phases in such systems, exemplified by LiNiO$_2$.

Contribution

It demonstrates the emergence of RVB physics in spin-orbital models through a detailed mapping to Quantum Dimer Models, expanding understanding of spin-orbital liquids.

Findings

Orbital degeneracy can lead to RVB spin-orbital liquids.

Mapping onto Quantum Dimer Models reveals RVB phases.

Application to LiNiO$_2$ illustrates the concept.

Abstract

We discuss how orbital degeneracy, which is usually removed by a cooperative Jahn-Teller distortion, could under appropriate circumstances lead rather to a Resonating Valence Bond spin-orbital liquid. The key points are: i) The tendency to form spin-orbital dimers, a tendency already identified in several cases; ii) The mapping onto Quantum Dimer Models, which have been shown to possess Resonating Valence Bond phases on the triangular lattice. How this program can be implemented is explained in some details starting from a microscopic model of LiNiO$_2$.