Quantum transitions of nematic phases in a spin-1 bilinear-biquadratic model and their implications for FeSe

Since its discovery, iron-based superconductivity has been known to develop near an antiferromagnetic order, but this paradigm fails in the iron chalcogenide FeSe, whose single-layer version holds the record for the highest superconducting transition temperature in the iron-based superconductors. Th...

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Main Authors: Wen-Jun Hu, Hsin-Hua Lai, Shou-Shu Gong, Rong Yu, Elbio Dagotto, Qimiao Si
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Physical Society 2020-06-01
Series:Physical Review Research
Online Access:http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.023359
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author Wen-Jun Hu
Hsin-Hua Lai
Shou-Shu Gong
Rong Yu
Elbio Dagotto
Qimiao Si
author_facet Wen-Jun Hu
Hsin-Hua Lai
Shou-Shu Gong
Rong Yu
Elbio Dagotto
Qimiao Si
author_sort Wen-Jun Hu
collection DOAJ
description Since its discovery, iron-based superconductivity has been known to develop near an antiferromagnetic order, but this paradigm fails in the iron chalcogenide FeSe, whose single-layer version holds the record for the highest superconducting transition temperature in the iron-based superconductors. The striking puzzle that FeSe displays nematic order (spontaneously broken lattice rotational symmetry) while being nonmagnetic, has led to several competing proposals for its origin in terms of either the 3d-electron's orbital degrees of freedom or spin physics in the form of frustrated magnetism. Here we argue that the phase diagram of FeSe under pressure could be qualitatively described by a quantum spin model with highly frustrated interactions. We implement both the site-factorized wave-function analysis and the large-scale density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) in cylinders to study the spin-1 bilinear-biquadratic model on the square lattice, and identify quantum transitions from the well-known (π,0) antiferromagnetic state to an exotic (π,0) antiferroquadrupolar order, either directly or through a (π/2,π) antiferromagnetic state. These many phases, while distinct, are all nematic. We also discuss our theoretical ground-state phase diagram for the understanding of the experimental low-temperature phase diagram obtained by the NMR [Wang et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 237001 (2016)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.117.237001] and x-ray scattering [Kothapalli et al., Nat. Commun. 7, 12728 (2016)2041-172310.1038/ncomms12728] measurements in pressurized FeSe. Our results suggest that superconductivity in a wide range of iron-based materials has a common origin in the antiferromagnetic correlations of strongly correlated electrons.
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spelling doaj.art-e8b715a6f06d401aaaf5a693bea9c6962024-04-12T16:55:49ZengAmerican Physical SocietyPhysical Review Research2643-15642020-06-012202335910.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.023359Quantum transitions of nematic phases in a spin-1 bilinear-biquadratic model and their implications for FeSeWen-Jun HuHsin-Hua LaiShou-Shu GongRong YuElbio DagottoQimiao SiSince its discovery, iron-based superconductivity has been known to develop near an antiferromagnetic order, but this paradigm fails in the iron chalcogenide FeSe, whose single-layer version holds the record for the highest superconducting transition temperature in the iron-based superconductors. The striking puzzle that FeSe displays nematic order (spontaneously broken lattice rotational symmetry) while being nonmagnetic, has led to several competing proposals for its origin in terms of either the 3d-electron's orbital degrees of freedom or spin physics in the form of frustrated magnetism. Here we argue that the phase diagram of FeSe under pressure could be qualitatively described by a quantum spin model with highly frustrated interactions. We implement both the site-factorized wave-function analysis and the large-scale density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) in cylinders to study the spin-1 bilinear-biquadratic model on the square lattice, and identify quantum transitions from the well-known (π,0) antiferromagnetic state to an exotic (π,0) antiferroquadrupolar order, either directly or through a (π/2,π) antiferromagnetic state. These many phases, while distinct, are all nematic. We also discuss our theoretical ground-state phase diagram for the understanding of the experimental low-temperature phase diagram obtained by the NMR [Wang et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 237001 (2016)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.117.237001] and x-ray scattering [Kothapalli et al., Nat. Commun. 7, 12728 (2016)2041-172310.1038/ncomms12728] measurements in pressurized FeSe. Our results suggest that superconductivity in a wide range of iron-based materials has a common origin in the antiferromagnetic correlations of strongly correlated electrons.http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.023359
spellingShingle Wen-Jun Hu
Hsin-Hua Lai
Shou-Shu Gong
Rong Yu
Elbio Dagotto
Qimiao Si
Quantum transitions of nematic phases in a spin-1 bilinear-biquadratic model and their implications for FeSe
Physical Review Research
title Quantum transitions of nematic phases in a spin-1 bilinear-biquadratic model and their implications for FeSe
title_full Quantum transitions of nematic phases in a spin-1 bilinear-biquadratic model and their implications for FeSe
title_fullStr Quantum transitions of nematic phases in a spin-1 bilinear-biquadratic model and their implications for FeSe
title_full_unstemmed Quantum transitions of nematic phases in a spin-1 bilinear-biquadratic model and their implications for FeSe
title_short Quantum transitions of nematic phases in a spin-1 bilinear-biquadratic model and their implications for FeSe
title_sort quantum transitions of nematic phases in a spin 1 bilinear biquadratic model and their implications for fese
url http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.023359
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