Abstract
We determine the conditions under which a spin-liquid Mott insulator ∣0⟩ defined by a Gutzwiller projected BCS state at half-filling is fractionalized. We construct a trial vison ( vortex) state by projecting an vortex threading the hole of a cylinder/torus and examine its overlap with ∣0⟩ using analytical and numerical calculations. We find that generically the overlap vanishes in the thermodynamic limit, so the spin-liquid is fractionalized. We point out the relevance of these results to numerical studies of Hubbard-like models and spin models which have been recently reported to possess spin liquid phases. We also consider possible implications for flux-trapping experiments that have tested for fractionalization in underdoped high-temperature superconductors.
- Received 7 May 2004
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.71.094421
©2005 American Physical Society