Philippe Sindzingre

Bio: Philippe Sindzingre is an academic researcher from Centre national de la recherche scientifique. The author has contributed to research in topics: Heisenberg model & Antiferromagnetism. The author has an hindex of 17, co-authored 23 publications receiving 1840 citations.

First excitations of the spin 1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on the kagomé lattice

Abstract: We study the exact low energy spectra of the spin 1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on small samples of the kagome lattice of up to N=36 sites. In agreement with the conclusions of previous authors, we find that these low energy spectra contradict the hypothesis of Neel type long range order. Certainly, the ground state of this system is a spin liquid, but its properties are rather unusual. The magnetic ( $$(\Delta S = 1)$$ ) excitations are separated from the ground state by a gap. However, this gap is filled with nonmagnetic ( $$(\Delta S = 0)$$ ) excitations. In the thermodynamic limit the spectrum of these nonmagnetic excitations will presumably develop into a gapless continuum adjacent to the ground state. Surprisingly, the eigenstates of samples with an odd number of sites, i.e. samples with an unsaturated spin, exhibit symmetries which could support long range chiral order. We do not know if these states will be true thermodynamic states or only metastable ones. In any case, the low energy properties of the spin 1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on the kagome lattice clearly distinguish this system from either a short range RVB spin liquid or a standard chiral spin liquid. Presumably they are facets of a generically new state of frustrated two-dimensional quantum antiferromagnets.

Order versus disorder in the quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnet on the kagomé lattice using exact spectra analysis

Abstract: A group-symmetry analysis of the low-lying levels of the spin-1/2 kagom\'e Heisenberg antiferromagnet is performed for small samples up to $N=27$. This approach allows one to follow the effect of quantum fluctuations when the sample size increases. The results contradict the scenario of ``order by disorder'' which has been advanced on the basis of large-$S$ calculations. A large enough second-neighbor ferromagnetic exchange coupling is needed to stabilize the $\sqrt{3}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\sqrt{3}$ pattern: the finite-size analysis indicates a quantum critical transition at a nonzero coupling.

First excitations of the spin 1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on the kagom\'e lattice

Abstract: We study the exact low energy spectra of the spin 1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on small samples of the kagom\'e lattice of up to N=36 sites. In agreement with the conclusions of previous authors, we find that these low energy spectra contradict the hypothesis of N\'eel type long range order. Certainly, the ground state of this system is a spin liquid, but its properties are rather unusual. The magnetic ($\Delta S=1$) excitations are separated from the ground state by a gap. However, this gap is filled with nonmagnetic ($\Delta S=0$) excitations. In the thermodynamic limit the spectrum of these nonmagnetic excitations will presumably develop into a gapless continuum adjacent to the ground state. Surprisingly, the eigenstates of samples with an odd number of sites, i.e. samples with an unsaturated spin, exhibit symmetries which could support long range chiral order. We do not know if these states will be true thermodynamic states or only metastable ones. In any case, the low energy properties of the spin 1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on the kagom\'e lattice clearly distinguish this system from either a short range RVB spin liquid or a standard chiral spin liquid. Presumably they are facets of a generically new state of frustrated two-dimensional quantum antiferromagnets.

Nematic order in square lattice frustrated ferromagnets.

Abstract: We present a new scenario for the breakdown of ferromagnetic order in a two-dimensional quantum magnet with competing ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions. In this, dynamical effects lead to the formation of two-magnon bound states, which undergo Bose-Einstein condensation, giving rise to bond-centered nematic order. This scenario is explored in some detail for an extended Heisenberg model on a square lattice. In particular, we present numerical evidence confirming the existence of a state with $d$-wave nematic correlations but no long-range magnetic order, lying between the saturated ferromagnetic and collinear antiferromagnetic phases of the ferromagnetic ${J}_{1}\mathrm{\text{\ensuremath{-}}}{J}_{2}$ model. We argue by continuity of spectra that this phase is also present in a model with 4-spin cyclic exchange.

An investigation of the quantum J 1 - J 2 - J 3 model on the honeycomb lattice

Abstract: We have investigated the quantum J 1 - J 2 - J 3 model on the honeycomb lattice with exact diagonalizations and linear spin-wave calculations for selected values of J 2 / J 1 , J 3 / J 1 and antiferromagnetic (J 1 > 0) or ferromagnetic (J 1 < 0) nearest neighbor interactions. We found a variety of quantum effects: “order by disorder" selection of a Neel ordered ground-state, good candidates for non-classical ground-states with dimer long range order or spin-liquid like. The purely antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model is confirmed to be Neel ordered. Comparing these results with those observed on the square and triangular lattices, we enumerate some conjectures on the nature of the quantum phases in the isotropic models.

Spin liquids in frustrated magnets

Abstract: Frustrated magnets are materials in which localized magnetic moments, or spins, interact through competing exchange interactions that cannot be simultaneously satisfied, giving rise to a large degeneracy of the system ground state. Under certain conditions, this can lead to the formation of fluid-like states of matter, so-called spin liquids, in which the constituent spins are highly correlated but still fluctuate strongly down to a temperature of absolute zero. The fluctuations of the spins in a spin liquid can be classical or quantum and show remarkable collective phenomena such as emergent gauge fields and fractional particle excitations. This exotic behaviour is now being uncovered in the laboratory, providing insight into the properties of spin liquids and challenges to the theoretical description of these materials.

Path integrals in the theory of condensed helium

Abstract: One of Feynman's early applications of path integrals was to superfluid $^{4}\mathrm{He}$. He showed that the thermodynamic properties of Bose systems are exactly equivalent to those of a peculiar type of interacting classical "ring polymer." Using this mapping, one can generalize Monte Carlo simulation techniques commonly used for classical systems to simulate boson systems. In this review, the author introduces this picture of a boson superfluid and shows how superfluidity and Bose condensation manifest themselves. He shows the excellent agreement between simulations and experimental measurements on liquid and solid helium for such quantities as pair correlations, the superfluid density, the energy, and the momentum distribution. Major aspects of computational techniques developed for a boson superfluid are discussed: the construction of more accurate approximate density matrices to reduce the number of points on the path integral, sampling techniques to move through the space of exchanges and paths quickly, and the construction of estimators for various properties such as the energy, the momentum distribution, the superfluid density, and the exchange frequency in a quantum crystal. Finally the path-integral Monte Carlo method is compared to other quantum Monte Carlo methods.

Supercooled Liquids and Glasses

Abstract: Selected aspects of recent progress in the study of supercooled liquids and glasses are presented in this review. As an introduction for nonspecialists, several basic features of the dynamics and thermodynamics of supercooled liquids and glasses are described. Among these are nonexponential relaxation functions, non-Arrhenius temperature dependences, and the Kauzmann temperature. Various theoretical models which attempt to explain these basic features are presented next. These models are conveniently categorized according to the temperature regimes deemed important by their authors. The major portion of this review is given to a summary of current experimental and computational research. The utility of mode coupling theory is addressed. Evidence is discussed for new relaxation mechanisms and new time and length scales in supercooled liquids. Relaxations in the glassy state and significance of the “boson peak” are also addressed.

Ultracold atomic gases in optical lattices: mimicking condensed matter physics and beyond

Abstract: We review recent developments in the physics of ultracold atomic and molecular gases in optical lattices. Such systems are nearly perfect realisations of various kinds of Hubbard models, and as such may very well serve to mimic condensed matter phenomena. We show how these systems may be employed as quantum simulators to answer some challenging open questions of condensed matter, and even high energy physics. After a short presentation of the models and the methods of treatment of such systems, we discuss in detail, which challenges of condensed matter physics can be addressed with (i) disordered ultracold lattice gases, (ii) frustrated ultracold gases, (iii) spinor lattice gases, (iv) lattice gases in “artificial” magnetic fields, and, last but not least, (v) quantum information processing in lattice gases. For completeness, also some recent progress related to the above topics with trapped cold gases will be discussed. Motto: There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your...

Quantum Spin Liquids

Abstract: Quantum spin liquids may be considered "quantum disordered" ground states of spin systems, in which zero point fluctuations are so strong that they prevent conventional magnetic long range order. More interestingly, quantum spin liquids are prototypical examples of ground states with massive many-body entanglement, of a degree sufficient to render these states distinct phases of matter. Their highly entangled nature imbues quantum spin liquids with unique physical aspects, such as non-local excitations, topological properties, and more. In this review, we discuss the nature of such phases and their properties based on paradigmatic models and general arguments, and introduce theoretical technology such as gauge theory and partons that are conveniently used in the study of quantum spin liquids. An overview is given of the different types of quantum spin liquids and the models and theories used to describe them. We also provide a guide to the current status of experiments to study quantum spin liquids, and to the diverse probes used therein.