Kitaev-Heisenberg Model on a Honeycomb Lattice: Possible Exotic Phases in Iridium Oxides A2IrO3

Jiří Chaloupka, George Jackeli, and Giniyat Khaliullin
Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 027204 – Published 9 July 2010

Abstract

We derive and study a spin one-half Hamiltonian on a honeycomb lattice describing the exchange interactions between Ir4+ ions in a family of layered iridates A2IrO3 (A=Li,Na). Depending on the microscopic parameters, the Hamiltonian interpolates between the Heisenberg and exactly solvable Kitaev models. Exact diagonalization and a complementary spin-wave analysis reveal the presence of an extended spin-liquid phase near the Kitaev limit and a conventional Néel state close to the Heisenberg limit. The two phases are separated by an unusual stripy antiferromagnetic state, which is the exact ground state of the model at the midpoint between two limits.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 16 April 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.027204

©2010 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Jiří Chaloupka1,2, George Jackeli2,*, and Giniyat Khaliullin2

  • 1Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 61137 Brno, Czech Republic
  • 2Max-Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung, Heisenbergstrasse 1, D-70569 Stuttgart, Germany

  • *Also at Andronikashvili Institute of Physics, 0177 Tbilisi, Georgia.

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 105, Iss. 2 — 9 July 2010

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×