Supersolidity in the triangular lattice spin-1/2 XXZ model: A variational perspective

We study the spin-1/2 XXZ model on the triangular lattice with a nearest neighbor antiferromagnetic Ising coupling $J_z>0$ and unfrustrated ($J_\perp0$) kinetic terms in zero magnetic field. Incorporating long-range Jastrow correlations over a mean field spin state, we obtain the variational phase diagram of this model on large lattices for arbitrary $J_z$ and either sign of $J_\perp$. For $J_\perp<0$, we find a $\sqrt{3}\times\sqrt{3}$ supersolid for $J_z/|J_\perp| \gtrsim 4.7$, in excellent agreement with quantum Monte Carlo data. For $J_\perp >0$, a distinct $\sqrt{3}\times\sqrt{3}$ supersolid is found to emerge for $J_z/J_\perp \geq 1$. Both supersolids exhibit a spontaneous density deviation from half-filling. At $J_z/J_\perp=\infty$, the crystalline order parameters of these two supersolids are nearly identical, consistent with exact results.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, 1 table, published versio

Graphene under spatially varying external potentials: Landau levels, magnetotransport, and topological modes

Superlattices (SLs) in monolayer and bilayer graphene, formed by spatially periodic potential variations, lead to a modified bandstructure with extra finite-energy and zero-energy Dirac fermions with tunable anisotropic velocities. We theoretically show that transport in a weak perpendicular (orbital) magnetic field allows one to not only probe the number of emergent Dirac points but also yields further information about their dispersion. or monolayer graphene, we find that a moderate magnetic field can lead to a strong reversal of the transport anisotropy imposed by the SL potential, an effect which arises due to the SL induced dispersion of the zero energy Landau levels. This effect may find useful applications in switching or other devices. For bilayer graphene, we discuss the structure of Landau level wave functions and local density of states in the presence of a uniform bias, as well as in the presence of a kink in the bias which leads to topologically bound `edge states'. We consider implications of these results for scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurements, valley filtering, and impurity induced breakdown of the quantum Hall effect in bilayer graphene.Comment: Published version, selected as an Editors' Suggestion; 14 Figure

Excitations in correlated superfluids near a continuous transition into a supersolid

We study a superfluid on a lattice close to a transition into a supersolid phase and show that a uniform superflow in the homogeneous superfluid can drive the roton gap to zero. This leads to supersolid order around the vortex core in the superfluid, with the size of the modulated pattern around the core being related to the bulk superfluid density and roton gap. We also study the electronic tunneling density of states for a uniform superconductor near a phase transition into a supersolid phase. Implications are considered for strongly correlated superconductors.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, published versio

Extending Luttinger's theorem to Z(2) fractionalized phases of matter

Luttinger's theorem for Fermi liquids equates the volume enclosed by the Fermi surface in momentum space to the electron filling, independent of the strength and nature of interactions. Motivated by recent momentum balance arguments that establish this result in a non-perturbative fashion [M. Oshikawa, Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 84}, 3370 (2000)], we present extensions of this momentum balance argument to exotic systems which exhibit quantum number fractionalization focussing on $Z_2$ fractionalized insulators, superfluids and Fermi liquids. These lead to nontrivial relations between the particle filling and some intrinsic property of these quantum phases, and hence may be regarded as natural extensions of Luttinger's theorem. We find that there is an important distinction between fractionalized states arising naturally from half filling versus those arising from integer filling. We also note how these results can be useful for identifying fractionalized states in numerical experiments.Comment: 24 pages, 5 eps figure

Effect of local charge fluctuations on spin physics in the Neel state of La2_2CuO4_4

We explore the effect of local charge fluctuations on the spin response of a Mott insulator by deriving an effective spin model, and studying it using Schwinger boson mean field theory. Applying this to La$_2$CuO$_4$, we show that an accurate fit to the magnon dispersion relation, measured by Coldea {\em et al.} [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 86}, 5377 (2001)] is obtained with Hubbard model parameters $U \approx 2.34 eV$, and $t \approx 360 meV$. These parameters lead to estimates of the staggered magnetization ($m_s \approx 0.25$), spin wave velocity ($c\approx 800 meV$-\AA), and spin stiffness ($\rho_s \approx 24 meV$). In particular the staggered moment as well as the effective local moment are renormalized to smaller values compared to the Heisenberg model due to local charge fluctuations in the Hubbard model. The dynamical structure factor shows considerable weight in the continuum along the zone boundary as well as secondary peaks that may be observed in high resolution neutron scattering experiments.Comment: Manuscript considerably revised following referee comments. Also added a brief discussion of sum rules. 8 pages, 6 eps figure

BCS-BEC crossover on the two-dimensional honeycomb lattice

The attractive Hubbard model on the honeycomb lattice exhibits, at half-filling, a quantum critical point (QCP) between a semimetal with massless Dirac fermions and an s-wave superconductor (SC). We study the BCS-BEC crossover in this model away from half-filling at zero temperature and show that the appropriately defined crossover line (in the interaction-density plane) passes through the QCP at half-filling. For a range of densities around half-filling, the ``underlying Fermi surface'' of the SC, defined as the momentum space locus of minimum energy quasiparticle excitations, encloses an area which evolves nonmonotonically with interactions. We also study fluctuations in the SC and the semimetal, and show the emergence of an undamped Leggett mode deep in the SC. We consider possible implications for experiments on ultracold atoms and high temperature SCs.Comment: Revised - added section on the Fermi surface evolution, corrected error in superfluid density, added possible implications for cuprate