Quantum Dynamics of Multiferroic Helimagnets: a Schwinger-Boson Approach

We study the quantum dynamics/fluctuation of the cycloidal helical magnet in terms of the Schwinger boson approach. In sharp contrast to the classical fluctuation, the quantum fluctuation is collinear in nature which gives rise to the collinear spin density wave state slightly above the helical cycloidal state as the temperature is lowered. Physical properties such as the reduced elliptic ratio of the spiral, the neutron scattering and infrared absorption spectra are discussed from this viewpoint with the possible relevance to the quasi-one dimensional LiCu$_2$O$_2$ and LiCuVO$_4$.