Zero-Energy States and Fragmentation of Spin in the Easy-Plane Antiferromagnet on a Honeycomb Lattice

2007/04/30 by Igor F. Herbut · 5 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Condensed Matter Physics #Physics of Superconductivity and Magnetism #Topological Materials and Phenomena #cond-mat.mes-hall #cond-mat.str-el #hep-th

paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevlett.99.206404

published as Phys. Rev. Lett. vol. 99, 206404 (2007) · 4 pages; cosmetic changes; published version

arxiv created 2007/11/16 · openalex publication_date 2007/11/16 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

The core of the vortex in the Néel order parameter for an easy-plane antiferromagnet on a honeycomb lattice is demonstrated to bind two zero-energy states. Remarkably, a single electron occupying this midgap band has its spin fragmented between the two sublattices: Whereas it yields a vanishing total magnetization, it shows a finite Néel order, orthogonal to the one of the assumed background. The requisite easy-plane anisotropy may be introduced by a magnetic field parallel to the graphene layer, for example. The results are relevant for spin-1/2 fermions on the graphene's or optical honeycomb lattice, in the strongly interacting regime.

Citations

• Effective Theory of High-Temperature Superconductors

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