Quantum order by disorder in the Kitaev model on a triangular lattice

We identify and discuss the ground state of a quantum magnet on a triangular lattice with bond-dependent Ising-type spin couplings, that is, a triangular analog of the Kitaev honeycomb model. The classical ground-state manifold of the model is spanned by decoupled Ising-type chains, and its accidental degeneracy is due to the frustrated nature of the anisotropic spin couplings. We show how this subextensive degeneracy is lifted by a quantum order-by-disorder mechanism and study the quantum selection of the ground state by treating short-wavelength fluctuations within the linked cluster expansion and by using the complementary spin-wave theory. We find that quantum fluctuations couple next-nearest-neighbor chains through an emergent four-spin interaction, while nearest-neighbor chains remain decoupled. The remaining discrete degeneracy of the ground state is shown to be protected by a hidden symmetry of the model.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Spin, Orbital and Charge Order at the Interface between Correlated Oxides

The collective behavior of correlated electrons in the VO$_2-$interface layer of LaVO$_3$/SrTiO$_3$ heterostructure is studied within a quarter-filled $t_{2g}$-orbital Hubbard model on a square lattice. We argue that the ground state is ferromagnetic driven by the double exchange mechanism, and is orbitally and charge ordered due to a confined geometry and electron correlations. The orbital and charge density waves open gaps on the entire Fermi surfaces of all orbitals. The theory explains the observed insulating behavior of the $p$-type interface between LaVO$_3$ and SrTiO$_3$.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures; revised, to appear in Phys. Rev. Let

Renormalization group approach to the one-dimensional 1/4-filled Hubbard model with alternating on-site interactions

The one-dimensional Hubbard model with different on-site interactions is investigated by renormalization group technique. In the case of a 1/4-filled band the dynamical nonequivalence of sites leads to the appearance of Umklapp processes in the system and to the dynamical generation of a gap in the charge excitation spectrum for $U_{a}\not=U_{b}$, $U_{a}>0$ or $U_{b}>0$. The ground-state phase diagram is obtained in the limit of second order renormalization. Depending on the sign and relative values of the bare coupling constants, there is a gap in the spin or charge excitation spectrum and the model system tends to superconducting or antiferromagnetic order at T=0, with doubled period. The role of interaction between particles on nearest and next-nearest neighbor sites is also considered

Magnetically Hidden Order of Kramers Doublets in d1d^1 Systems: Sr2_2VO4_4

We formulate and study an effective Hamiltonian for low-energy Kramers doublets of $d^1$-ions on a square lattice. We find that the system exhibits a magnetically hidden order in which the expectation values of the local spin and orbital moments both vanish. The order parameter responsible for a time-reversal symmetry breaking has a composite nature and is a spin-orbital analog of a magnetic octupole. We argue that such a hidden order is realized in the layered perovskite Sr$_2$VO$_4$.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures; minor change