Abstract
The phase diagram of the classical model on the kagome lattice is investigated by using extensive Monte Carlo simulations. In a realistic range of parameters, this model has a low-temperature chiral-ordered phase without long-range spin order. We show that the critical transition marking the destruction of the chiral order is preempted by the first-order proliferation of point defects. The core energy of these vortices appears to vanish when approaching the phase boundary, where both defects and gapless magnons contribute to disordering the system at very low temperatures. This situation might be typical of a large class of frustrated magnets. Possible relevance for real materials is also discussed.
- Received 18 April 2008
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.77.172413
©2008 American Physical Society