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An exact chiral amorphous spin liquid.

Authors :
Cassella, G.
d'Ornellas, P.
Hodson, T.
Natori, W. M. H.
Knolle, J.
Source :
Nature Communications; 10/20/2023, Vol. 14 Issue 1, p1-6, 6p
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

Topological insulator phases of non-interacting particles have been generalized from periodic crystals to amorphous lattices, which raises the question whether topologically ordered quantum many-body phases may similarly exist in amorphous systems? Here we construct a soluble chiral amorphous quantum spin liquid by extending the Kitaev honeycomb model to random lattices with fixed coordination number three. The model retains its exact solubility but the presence of plaquettes with an odd number of sides leads to a spontaneous breaking of time reversal symmetry. We unearth a rich phase diagram displaying Abelian as well as a non-Abelian quantum spin liquid phases with a remarkably simple ground state flux pattern. Furthermore, we show that the system undergoes a finite-temperature phase transition to a conducting thermal metal state and discuss possible experimental realisations. Recently topological phases have been generalized to amorphous materials, but demonstrations have been limited to non-interacting particles. Cassella et al. show the emergence of chiral amorphous quantum spin liquid in an exactly soluble model by extending the Kitaev honeycomb model to random lattices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20411723
Volume :
14
Issue :
1
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Nature Communications
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
173149545
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-42105-9