Pseudospin Representation Research Articles

Field-Angle-Resolved Magnetic Excitations as a Probe of Hidden-Order Symmetry in CeB6

In contrast to magnetic order formed by electrons’ dipolar moments, ordering phenomena associated with higher-order multipoles (quadrupoles, octupoles, etc.) are more difficult to characterize because of the limited choice of experimental probes that can distinguish different multipolar moments. The heavy-fermion compound CeB6 and its La-diluted alloys are among the best-studied realizations of the long-range-ordered multipolar phases, often referred to as “hidden order.” Previously, the hidden order in phase II was identified as primary antiferroquadrupolar and field-induced octupolar order. Here, we present a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of collective excitations in phase II of CeB6. Inelastic neutron scattering (INS) in fields up to 16.5 T reveals a new high-energy mode above 14 T in addition to the low-energy magnetic excitations. The experimental dependence of their energy on the magnitude and angle of the applied magnetic field is compared to the results of a multipolar interaction model. The magnetic excitation spectrum in a rotating field is calculated within a localized approach using the pseudospin representation for the Γ8 states. We show that the rotating-field technique at fixed momentum can complement conventional INS measurements of the dispersion at a constant field and holds great promise for identifying the symmetry of multipolar order parameters and the details of intermultipolar interactions that stabilize hidden-order phases.6 MoreReceived 6 January 2020Revised 20 February 2020Accepted 5 March 2020DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevX.10.021010Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI.Published by the American Physical SocietyPhysics Subject Headings (PhySH)Physical SystemsHeavy-fermion systemsStrongly correlated systemsTechniquesInelastic neutron scatteringCondensed Matter, Materials & Applied Physics

Antilocalization in oxides: Effective spin- 32 model

Weak anti-localization offers an experimental tool to address spin--orbit coupling of two-dimensional oxide surfaces and interfaces via magneto-transport. To overcome the shortcomings of the formulation for single-band spin-1/2 electrons, we consider an effective three-band model that allows a decomposition into a pseudo-spin representation 1/2+3/2. Whereas the well-established spin-1/2 transport signature results from the singlet and triplet sectors in the Cooperon equation, a new structure originates from the quintet and septet sectors generated by the spin 3/2x3/2 representation.

Weak antilocalization within a genuine multiband model

Weak antilocalization signatures in magnetotransport measurements provide specific information about the spin-orbit coupling at oxide interfaces. However, for many of these two-dimensional systems, the commonly used theory for single-band electrons is not appropriate. The atomic spin-orbit coupling, jointly with inversion symmetry breaking terms, mixes states of different bands, making a multiband treatment of the Cooperon equation unavoidable. Here we consider an effective ${t}_{2g}$ multiband model that allows a decomposition into a pseudospin representation $1/2\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\bigoplus}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}3/2$. For the spin-$3/2$ sector, supervening quintet and septet channels from the Cooperon $3/2\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\bigotimes}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}3/2$ representations alter the quantum correction considerably. We study the impact of the spin winding number at the Fermi surface and report about a new experimentally accessible structure in the magnetoconductivity that is sensitive to the ratio of single and triple spin winding contributions.

Dynamical instability with respect to finite-momentum pairing in quenched BCS superconducting phases

In this work we numerically investigate the fate of the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) pairing in the presence of quenched phase under Peierls substitution using time-dependent real space and momentum space Bogoliubov-de Gennes equation methods and Anderson pseudospin representation method. This kind of phase imprint can be realized by modulating electric field in ultracold atoms and illumining of THz optical pump pulse in solids with conventional and unconventional superconductors. In the case of weak phase imprint, the BCS pairing is stable; while in the strong phase imprint, instability towards finite-momentum pairing is allowed, in which the real space and momentum space methods yield different results. In the pulsed gauge potential, we find that this instability will not happen even with much stronger vector potential. We also show that the uniform and staggered gauge potentials yield different behaviors. While the staggered potential induces transition from the BCS pairing to over-damped phase, the uniform gauge may enhance the pairing and will not induce to the over-damped phase. These result may shade light on the realization of finite momentum pairing, such as Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov phase with dynamical modulation.

Maximal distant entanglement in Kitaev tube

We study the Kitaev model on a finite-size square lattice with periodic boundary conditions in one direction and open boundary conditions in the other. Based on the fact that the Majorana representation of Kitaev model is equivalent to a brick wall model under the condition t = Δ = μ, this system is shown to support perfect Majorana bound states which is in strong localization limit. By introducing edge-mode fermionic operator and pseudo-spin representation, we find that such edge modes are always associated with maximal entanglement between two edges of the tube, which is independent of the size of the system.

Stripes and honeycomb lattice of quantized vortices in rotating two-component Bose-Einstein condensates

We study numerically the structure of a vortex lattice in two-component Bose-Einstein condensates with equal atomic masses and equal intra- and inter-component coupling strengths. The numerical simulations of the Gross-Pitaevskii equation show that the quantized vortices form uncertain lattice configurations accompanying the vortex stripes, honeycomb lattices, and their complexes. This is a result of the degeneracy of the system for the SU(2) symmetric operation, which makes a continuous transformation between the above structures. In terms of the pseudospin representation, the complex lattice structures are identified to a hexagonal lattice of doubly-winding half-skyrmions.

Amplitude modes and dynamic coexistence of competing orders in multicomponent superconductors

We study the nonequilibrium dynamics of an electronic model with competing spin-density-wave and unconventional superconductivity in the context of iron pnictides. Focusing on the collisionless regime, we find that magnetic and superconducting order parameters may coexist dynamically after a sudden quench, even though the equilibrium thermodynamic state supports only one order parameter. We consider various initial conditions concomitant with the phase diagram and in a certain regime identify different oscillatory amplitude modes with incommensurate frequencies for magnetic and superconducting responses. At the technical level we solve the equations of motion for the electronic Green's functions and self-consistency conditions by reducing the problem to a closed set of Bloch equations in a pseudospin representation. For certain quench scenarios the nonadiabatic dynamics of the pairing amplitude is completely integrable and in principle can be found exactly.

Coherent dynamics of radiating atomic systems in pseudospin representation

The aim of this review is twofold. Firstly, a general approach is presented which can provide a unified description of the dynamics of radiating systems of different natures. Both atomic systems and spin assemblies can be treated within the same mathematical method, which is based on a pseudospin (or spin) representation of the evolution equations. The approach is applicable to all stages of radiation dynamics, including the most difficult initial quantum stage, where coherence is not yet developed. This makes it possible to study the process of coherent self-organization from the chaotic quantum stage. Secondly, the approach is illustrated by applying it to the description of several coherent phenomena. Different types of superradiance are characterized: pure superradiance, triggered superradiance, pulsing and punctuated superradiance. The theory of such interesting effects as triggering dipolar waves, turbulent photon filamentation, collective liberation of light, pseudospin atomic squeezing, and operator entanglement production is presented.

Zero-temperature Monte Carlo study of the noncoplanar phase of the classical bilinear-biquadratic Heisenberg model on the triangular lattice

We investigate the ground-state properties of the highly degenerate non-coplanar phase of the classical bilinear-biquadratic Heisenberg model on the triangular lattice with Monte Carlo simulations. For that purpose, we introduce an Ising pseudospin representation of the ground states, and we use a simple Metropolis algorithm with local updates, as well as a powerful cluster algorithm. At sizes that can be sampled with local updates, the presence of long-range order is surprisingly combined with an algebraic decay of correlations and the complete disordering of the chirality. It is only thanks to the investigation of unusually large systems (containing $\sim 10^8$ spins) with cluster updates that the true asymptotic regime can be reached and that the system can be proven to consist of equivalent (i.e., equally ordered) sublattices. These large-scale simulations also demonstrate that the scalar chirality exhibits long-range order at zero temperature, implying that the system has to undergo a finite-temperature phase transition. Finally, we show that the average distance in the order parameter space, which has the structure of an infinite Cayley tree, remains remarkably small between any pair of points, even in the limit when the real space distance between them tends to infinity.

Classification of the ground states and topological defects in a rotating two-component Bose-Einstein condensate

We classify the ground states and topological defects of a rotating two-component condensate when varying several parameters: the intracomponent coupling strengths, the intercomponent coupling strength, and the particle numbers. No restriction is placed on the masses or trapping frequencies of the individual components. We present numerical phase diagrams which show the boundaries between the regions of coexistence, spatial separation, and symmetry breaking. Defects such as triangular coreless vortex lattices, square coreless vortex lattices, and giant skyrmions are classified. Various aspects of the phase diagrams are analytically justified thanks to a nonlinear $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ model that describes the condensate in terms of the total density and a pseudo-spin representation.

Entanglement of hard-core bose gas in degenerate levels under local noise

Quantum entanglement properties of the pseudo-spin representation of the BCS model is investigated. In case of degenerate energy levels, where wave functions take a particularly simple form, spontaneous breaking of exchange symmetry under local noise is studied. Even if the Hamiltonian has the same symmetry, it is shown that there is a non-zero probability to end up with a non-symmetric final state. For small systems, total probability for symmetry breaking is found to be inversely proportional to the system size.

Regulating atomic imbalance in double-well lattices

An insulating optical lattice with double-well sites is considered. In the case of the unity filling factor, an effective Hamiltonian in the pseudospin representation is derived. A method is suggested for manipulating the properties of the system by varying the shape of the double-well potential. In particular, it is shown that the atomic imbalance can be varied at will and a kind of the Morse-alphabet sequences can be created.

Mean field statistical mechanics of model Hamiltonian for hydrogen bonded phase transitions

AbstractRecently, a new prototype model has been proposed to explain structural phase transitions in single crystals of organic hydrogen bonded phenol–amine adducts. A variational calculation of the thermodynamic properties was able to explain the main features of the phase transition. We report an alternative statistical mechanical calculation which confirms the results of the earlier calculation even though self‐energy terms appear in the present calculation. The interpretation of the results within the pseudo spin representation is clarified further. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Cold atoms in double-well optical lattices

Cold atoms, loaded into an optical lattice with double-well sites, are considered. Pseudospin representation for an effective Hamiltonian is derived. The system in equilibrium displays two phases, ordered and disordered. The second-order phase transition between the phases can be driven either by temperature or by changing the system parameters. Collective pseudospin excitations have a gap disappearing at the phase-transition point. Dynamics of atoms is studied, when they are loaded into the lattice in an initially nonequilibrium state. It is shown that the temporal evolution of atoms, contrary to their equilibrium thermodynamics, cannot be described in the mean-field approximation, since it results in a structurally unstable dynamical system, but a more accurate description is necessary taking account of attenuation effects.

Quantum phase transition in the one-dimensional compass model using the pseudospin approach

In the present paper, we investigate quantum phase transition in the one-dimensional compass model introduced by Brzezicki et al. [Phys. Rev. B 75, 134415 (2007)]. Unlike the previous approach based on the Jordan-Wigner transformation, we use directly the standard pseudospin representation in our investigation. Therefore, our method can be potentially applied to study rigorously the properties of the same model in higher dimensions. By applying the reflection positivity technique, we are able to determine degeneracy of the global ground state and the quantum phase-transition point of this model. We find also that the transition is of the first order. These results are consistent with the previous conclusions. However, some differences are also uncovered.

Pseudospin representation of the two-dimensional t– J model

We investigate the two-dimensional t– J model describing most of the physical properties of the copper-oxide materials. In this model, due to the single occupancy constraint, the electron operators no longer obey the fermionic anti-commutation relations. By introducing pseudospins associated with empty sites, we derive a representation of the t– J model that consists of spinless fermions and local spins. Within a mean-field approximation, we show that our representation of the t– J model corresponds to the antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model in an effective magnetic field induced by hole doping δ . We show that the staggered magnetization decreases with increasing hole doping δ and disappears at reasonable value of the critical doping δ c , which is in good agreement with experiments and numerical calculations.

Antiferromagnetism in two-dimensionalt−Jmodel: A pseudospin representation

We discuss a pseudospin representation of the two-dimensional t-J model. We introduce pseudospins associated with empty sites, deriving a new representation of the t-J model that consists of local spins and spinless fermions. We show, within a mean-field approximation, that our representation of t-J model corresponds to the {\it isotropic} antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model in an effective magnetic field. The strength and the direction of the effective field are determined by the hole doping ${\delta}$ and the orientation of pseudospins associated with empty sites, respectively. We find that the staggered magnetization in the standard representation corresponds to the component of magnetization perpendicular to the effective field in our pseudospin representation. Using a many-body Green's function method, we show that the staggered magnetization decreases with increasing hole doping ${\delta}$ and disappears at ${\delta \approx 0.06-0.15}$ for $t/J=2-5$. Our results are in good agreement with experiments and numerical calculations in contradistinction to usual mean-field methods.

Competition between superconductivity and charge density waves

We derive an effective field theory for the competition between superconductivity (SC) and charge density waves (CDWs) by employing the SO(3) pseudospin representation of the SC and CDW order parameters. One important feature in the effective nonlinear $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ model is the emergence of a Berry phase even at half filling, originating from the competition between SC and CDWs, i.e., the pseudospin symmetry. A-well known conflict between the previous studies of Oshikawa [Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 1535 (2000)] and Lee and Shankar [Phys. Rev. Lett. 65, 1490 (1990)] is resolved by the appearance of the Berry phase. The Berry phase contribution allows a deconfined quantum critical point of fractionalized charge excitations with $e$ instead of $2e$ in the SC-CDW quantum transition at half filling. Furthermore, we investigate the stability of the deconfined quantum criticality against quenched randomness by performing a renormalization group analysis of an effective vortex action. We argue that, although randomness results in a weak disorder fixed point differing from the original deconfined quantum critical point, deconfinement of the fractionalized charge excitations still survives at the disorder fixed point owing to a nonzero fixed point value of the vortex charge.

VORTICES IN MULTICOMPONENT BOSE–EINSTEIN CONDENSATES

We review the topic of quantized vortices in multicomponent Bose–Einstein condensates of dilute atomic gases, with an emphasis on the two-component condensates. First, we review the fundamental structure, stability and dynamics of a single vortex state in a slowly rotating two-component condensates. To understand recent experimental results, we use the coupled Gross–Pitaevskii equations and the generalized nonlinear sigma model. An axisymmetric vortex state, which was observed by the JILA group, can be regarded as a topologically trivial skyrmion in the pseudospin representation. The internal, coherent coupling between the two components breaks the axisymmetry of the vortex state, resulting in a stable vortex molecule (a meron pair). We also mention unconventional vortex states and monopole excitations in a spin-1 Bose–Einstein condensate. Next, we discuss a rich variety of vortex states realized in rapidly rotating two-component Bose–Einstein condensates. We introduce a phase diagram with axes of rotation frequency and the intercomponent coupling strength. This phase diagram reveals unconventional vortex states such as a square lattice, a double-core lattice, vortex stripes and vortex sheets, all of which are in an experimentally accessible parameter regime. The coherent coupling leads to an effective attractive interaction between two components, providing not only a promising candidate to tune the intercomponent interaction to study the rich vortex phases but also a new regime to explore vortex states consisting of vortex molecules characterized by anisotropic vorticity. A recent experiment by the JILA group vindicated the formation of a square vortex lattice in this system.

Spin textures in rotating two-component Bose-Einstein condensates

We investigate two kinds of coreless vortices with axisymmetric and nonaxisymmetric configurations in rotating two-component Bose-Einstein condensates. Starting from the Gross-Pitaevskii energy functional in a rotating frame, we derive a nonlinear sigma model generalized to the two-component condensates. In terms of a pseudospin representation, an axisymmetric vortex and a nonaxisymmetric one correspond to spin textures referred to as a ``skyrmion'' and a ``meron-pair,'' respectively. A variational method is used to investigate the dependence of the sizes of the stable spin textures on system parameters, and the optimized variational function is found to reproduce well the numerical solution. In the SU(2) symmetric case, the optimal skyrmion and meron-pair are degenerate and transform to each other by a rotation of the pseudospin. An external rf field that couples coherently the hyperfine states of two components breaks the degeneracy in favor of the meron-pair texture due to an effective transverse pseudomagnetic field. The difference between the intracomponent and intercomponent interactions yields a longitudinal pseudomagnetic field and a ferromagnetic or an antiferromagnetic pseudospin interaction, leading to a meron-pair texture with an anisotropic distribution of vorticity.