Systematic Effective Field Theory Investigation of Spiral Phases in Hole-Doped Antiferromagnets on the Honeycomb Lattice

Motivated by possible applications to the antiferromagnetic precursor of the high-temperature superconductor Na$_x$CoO$_2\cdot$yH$_2$O, we use a systematic low-energy effective field theory for magnons and holes to study different phases of doped antiferromagnets on the honeycomb lattice. The effective action contains a leading single-derivative term, similar to the Shraiman-Siggia term in the square lattice case, which gives rise to spirals in the staggered magnetization. Depending on the values of the low-energy parameters, either a homogeneous phase with four or a spiral phase with two filled hole pockets is energetically favored. Unlike in the square lattice case, at leading order the effective action has an accidental continuous spatial rotation symmetry. Consequently, the spiral may point in any direction and is not necessarily aligned with a lattice direction.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure

Monte Carlo Determination of the Low-Energy Constants of a Spin 1/2 Heisenberg Model with Spatial Anisotropy

Motivated by the possible mechanism for the pinning of the electronic liquid crystal direction in YBCO as proposed in \cite{Pardini08}, we use the first principles Monte Carlo method to study the spin 1/2 Heisenberg model with antiferromagnetic couplings $J_{1}$ and $J_{2}$ on the square lattice. The corresponding low-energy constants, namely the spin stiffness $\rho_s$, the staggered magnetization density ${\cal M}_s$, the spin wave velocity $c$, as well as the ground state energy density $e_0$ are determined by fitting the Monte Carlo data to the predictions of magnon chiral perturbation theory. In particular, the spin stiffnesses $\rho_{s1}$ and $\rho_{s2}$ are investigated as a function of the ratio $J_{2}/J_{1}$ of the couplings. Although we find a good agreement between our results with those obtained by the series expansion method in the weakly anisotropic regime, for strong anisotropy we observe discrepancies.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, version accepted for publishing in Phys. Rev.

Spiral phases and two-particle bound states from a systematic low-energy effective theory for magnons, electrons, and holes in an antiferromagnet

We have constructed a systematic low-energy effective theory for hole- and electron-doped antiferromagnets, where holes reside in momentum space pockets centered at $(\pm\frac{\pi}{2a},\pm\frac{\pi}{2a})$ and where electrons live in pockets centered at $(\frac{\pi}{a},0)$ or $(0,\frac{\pi}{a})$. The effective theory is used to investigate the magnon-mediated binding between two holes or two electrons in an otherwise undoped system. We derive the one-magnon exchange potential from the effective theory and then solve the corresponding two-quasiparticle Schr\"odinger equation. As a result, we find bound state wave functions that resemble $d_{x^2-y^2}$-like or $d_{xy}$-like symmetry. We also study possible ground states of lightly doped antiferromagnets.Comment: 2 Pages; Proc. of SCES'07, Housto

Systematic Low-Energy Effective Field Theory for Magnons and Holes in an Antiferromagnet on the Honeycomb Lattice

Based on a symmetry analysis of the microscopic Hubbard and t-J models, a systematic low-energy effective field theory is constructed for hole-doped antiferromagnets on the honeycomb lattice. In the antiferromagnetic phase, doped holes are massive due to the spontaneous breakdown of the $SU(2)_s$ symmetry, just as nucleons in QCD pick up their mass from spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking. In the broken phase the effective action contains a single-derivative term, similar to the Shraiman-Siggia term in the square lattice case. Interestingly, an accidental continuous spatial rotation symmetry arises at leading order. As an application of the effective field theory we consider one-magnon exchange between two holes and the formation of two-hole bound states. As an unambiguous prediction of the effective theory, the wave function for the ground state of two holes bound by magnon exchange exhibits $f$-wave symmetry.Comment: 33 pages, 6 figure

An integrated approach toward the incorporation of clouds in the temperature retrievals from microwave measurements

In this paper, we address the characterization of clouds and its inclusion in microwave retrievals in order to study its effect on tropospheric temperature profiles measured by TEMPERA radiometer. TEMPERA is the first ground-based microwave radiometer that makes it possible to obtain temperature profiles in the troposphere and stratosphere at the same time. In order to characterize the clouds a multi-instrumental approach has been adopted. Cloud base altitudes were detected using ceilometer measurements while the integrated liquid water was measured by TROWARA radiometer. Both instruments are co-located with TEMPERA in Bern (Switzerland). Using this information and a constant Liquid Water Content value inside the cloud a liquid profile is provided to characterize the clouds in the inversion algorithm. Microwave temperature profiles have been obtained incorporating this water liquid profile in the inversion algorithm and also without considering the clouds, in order to assess its effect on the retrievals. The results have been compared with the temperature profiles from radiosondes which are launched twice a day at the aerological station of MeteoSwiss in Payerne (40 km W of Bern). Almost 1 year of data have been analysed and 60 non-precipitating cloud cases were studied. The statistical analysis carried out over all the cases evidenced that temperature retrievals improved in most of the cases when clouds were incorporated in the inversion algorithm

Phi meson production in near threshold proton-nucleus collisions

The cross section for production of Phi mesons in proton-nucleus reactions is calculated as a function of the target mass. The decay width of the Phi meson is affected by the change of the masses of the Phi, K+ and K- mesons in the medium. A strong attractive K- potential leads to a measurable change of the behavior of the cross section as a function of of the target mass. Comparison between the kaon and electron decay modes are made.Comment: 4 pages, 1figure, new figure, new reference

From QCD lattice calculations to the equation of state of quark matter

We describe two-flavor QCD lattice data for the pressure at finite temperature and zero chemical potential within a quasiparticle model. Relying only on thermodynamic selfconsistency, the model is extended to nonzero chemical potential. The results agree with lattice calculations in the region of small chemical potential.Comment: 5 eps figure

Systematic effective field theory investigation of spiral phases in hole-doped antiferromagnets on the honeycomb lattice

Motivated by possible applications to the antiferromagnetic precursor of the high-temperature superconductor NaxCoO2.yH2O, we use a systematic low-energy effective field theory for magnons and holes to study different phases of doped antiferromagnets on the honeycomb lattice. The effective action contains a leading single-derivative term, similar to the Shraiman-Siggia term in the square lattice case, which gives rise to spirals in the staggered magnetization. Depending on the values of the low-energy parameters, either a homogeneous phase with four or a spiral phase with two filled hole pockets is energetically favored. Unlike in the square lattice case, at leading order the effective action has an accidental continuous spatial rotation symmetry. Consequently, the spiral may point in any direction and is not necessarily aligned with a lattice directio