Identification of a Kitaev Quantum Spin Liquid by Magnetic Field Angle Dependence

Abstract

Quantum spin liquids realize massive entanglement and fractional quasiparticles from localized spins, proposed as an avenue for quantum science and technology. In particular, topological quantum computations are suggested in the non-abelian phase of Kitaev quantum spin liquid with Majorana fermions, and detection of Majorana fermions is one of the most outstanding problems in modern condensed matter physics. Here, we propose a concrete way to identify the non-abelian Kitaev quantum spin liquid by magnetic field angle dependence. Topologically protected critical lines exist on a plane of magnetic field angles, and their shapes are determined by microscopic spin interactions. A chirality operator plays a key role in demonstrating microscopic dependences of the critical lines. We also show that the chirality operator can be used to evaluate topological properties of the non-abelian Kitaev quantum spin liquid without relying on Majorana fermion descriptions. Experimental criteria for the non-abelian spin liquid state are provided for future experiments.

11 pages, 7 figures, 1 table, and supplementary information

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Cited by in corpus (23)

• Thermal Hall effects in quantum magnets
• Significant thermal Hall effect in the 3$d$ cobalt Kitaev system $N{a}_{2}C{o}_{2}Te{O}_6$
• Majorana-fermion origin of the planar thermal Hall effect in the Kitaev magnet $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$
• Kitaev Quantum Spin Liquids
• Honeycomb oxide heterostructure: a new platform for Kitaev quantum spin liquid
• Scattering phenomena for spin transport in Kitaev spin liquid
• Anyon condensation and confinement transition in a Kitaev spin liquid bilayer
• Field-Angle-Resolved Specific Heat in Na${}_2$Co${}_2$TeO${}_6$: Evidence against Kitaev Quantum Spin Liquid
• Topological phase diagrams of in-plane field polarized Kitaev magnets
• Dynamical response theory of interacting Majorana fermions and its application to generic Kitaev quantum spin liquids in a field
• Static and fluctuating zigzag order, and possible signatures of Kitaev physics, in torque measurements of $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$
• Dimensional reduction of Kitaev spin liquid at quantum criticality
• Bulk excitations in ultraclean $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$: Quantitative evidence for Majorana dispersions in a Kitaev quantum spin liquid
• Exact Ground States and Phase Diagram of the Quantum Compass Model under an in-plane Field
• Digital Quantum Simulation of the Kitaev Quantum Spin Liquid
• Deciphering competing interactions of Kitaev-Heisenberg-$\Gamma$ system in clusters: part II -- dynamics of Majorana fermions
• Deciphering competing interactions of Kitaev-Heisenberg-$\Gamma$ system in clusters: part I -- static properties
• Formulation of spin Nernst effect for spin-nonconserving insulating magnets
• Real-time control of non-Abelian anyons in Kitaev spin liquid under energy dissipation
• Vacancies in generic Kitaev spin liquids
• Spin-phonon coupling and thermal Hall effect in the Kitaev model
• Tuning the Chern number of Kitaev quantum spin liquid
• Dominant Kitaev Interaction and Field-induced Quantum Disordered Phase in the Cobaltate Na${}_2$Co${}_2$TeO${}_6$