Time reversal symmetry breaking chiral spin liquids: Projective symmetry group approach of bosonic mean-field theories

Abstract

Projective symmetry groups (PSG) are the mathematical tools which allow to list and classify mean-field spin liquids (SL) based on a parton construction. The seminal work of Wen and its subsequent extension to bosons by Wang and Vishwanath concerned the so-called symmetric SL: i.e. states that break neither lattice symmetries nor time reversal invariance. Here we generalize this approach to chiral (time reversal symmetry breaking) SL described in a Schwinger boson mean-field approach. A special emphasis is put on frustrated lattices (triangular and kagome lattices), where the possibility of a chiral SL ground state has recently been discussed. The PSG approach is detailed for the triangular lattice case. Results for other lattices are given in the appendices. The physical significance of gauge invariant quantities called fluxes is discussed both in the classical limit and in the quantum SL and their expressions in terms of spin observables are given.