Leggett’s modes in magnetic systems with Jahn–Teller distortion

Abstract

Leggett’s mode is a collective excitation corresponding to the oscillation of the relative phase of the order parameters in a two band superconductor, with frequency proportional to interband coupling. We report on the existence of modes, similar to Leggett’s mode, in magnetic systems with Jahn–Teller distortion. The minimal Kugel–Khomskii model, which describes simultaneously both the spin and the orbital order, is studied. The dynamical degrees of freedom are spin-s operators of localized spins and pseudospin-τ operators, which respond to the orbital degeneracy and satisfy the similar commutation relation with those of the spin operators. In the case of “G-type antiferro” spin and pseudospin order the system possesses two antiferromagnetic magnons with equal spin-wave velocities and two Leggett’s modes with equal gaps proportional to the square root of the spin–pseudospin interaction constant. In the case of “ferro” spin and pseudospin order the system possesses one ferromagnetic magnon and one Leggett’s mode with gap proportional to the spin–pseudospin interaction constant. We conclude that Leggett’s modes, in the spectrum of the magnetic systems with Jahn–Teller distortion, are generic features of these systems.