Author
Listed:
- Z. Y. Meng
(Institut für Theoretische Physik III, Universität Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70550 Stuttgart, Germany)
- T. C. Lang
(Institut für Theoretische Physik und Astrophysik, Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany)
- S. Wessel
(Institut für Theoretische Physik III, Universität Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70550 Stuttgart, Germany)
- F. F. Assaad
(Institut für Theoretische Physik und Astrophysik, Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany)
- A. Muramatsu
(Institut für Theoretische Physik III, Universität Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70550 Stuttgart, Germany)
Abstract
At sufficiently low temperatures, condensed-matter systems tend to develop order. A notable exception to this behaviour is the case of quantum spin liquids, in which quantum fluctuations prevent a transition to an ordered state down to the lowest temperatures. There have now been tentative observations of such states in some two-dimensional organic compounds, yet quantum spin liquids remain elusive in microscopic two-dimensional models that are relevant to experiments. Here we show, by means of large-scale quantum Monte Carlo simulations of correlated fermions on a honeycomb lattice (a structure realized in, for example, graphene), that a quantum spin liquid emerges between the state described by massless Dirac fermions and an antiferromagnetically ordered Mott insulator. This unexpected quantum-disordered state is found to be a short-range resonating valence-bond liquid, akin to the one proposed for high-temperature superconductors: the possibility of unconventional superconductivity through doping therefore arises in our system. We foresee the experimental realization of this model system using ultra-cold atoms, or group IV elements arranged in honeycomb lattices.
Suggested Citation
Z. Y. Meng & T. C. Lang & S. Wessel & F. F. Assaad & A. Muramatsu, 2010.
"Quantum spin liquid emerging in two-dimensional correlated Dirac fermions,"
Nature, Nature, vol. 464(7290), pages 847-851, April.
Handle:
RePEc:nat:nature:v:464:y:2010:i:7290:d:10.1038_nature08942
DOI: 10.1038/nature08942
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