Symmetry considerations on the magnetization process of the Heisenberg model on the pyrochlore lattice

TL;DR

This paper analyzes how symmetry affects the magnetization process in the Heisenberg model on the pyrochlore lattice, focusing on degeneracy lifting and conditions for a stable half-magnetization plateau.

Contribution

It provides a symmetry-based framework to understand degeneracy lifting and stability criteria for magnetization plateaus in pyrochlore lattice systems.

Findings

Criteria for stable half-magnetization plateau derived

Higher order exchange effects linked to spin-lattice coupling and fluctuations

Symmetry analysis clarifies degeneracy lifting mechanisms

Abstract

We present a detailed symmetry analysis of the degeneracy lifting due to higher order spin exchanges in the pyrochlore lattice in applied magnetic field. Under the assumption of the 4 sublattice ordering, the criteria for a stable half-magnetization plateau are deduced. The higher order exchange terms may originate from spin-lattice coupling, or can describe quantum and thermal fluctuations.