We study the extended Kitaev model called the KΓ model, using a perturbative expansion combined with a well-controlled mean-field approximation and a cutting-edge exact diagonalization. In the phase diagram, we discover a nematic Kitaev spin liquid and a Kekul\'e Kitaev spin liquid. The former potentially explains the high-field nematic state with zero Chern number experimentally observed in α-RuCl3, even for sufficiently small values of Γ/∣K∣. The latter has a Majorana zero mode in its Z3 vortex core, which can be potentially controlled by the domain wall motion. This opens a possible application of the quantum liquid crystal phases in the KΓ model to the topological quantum computation.
@article{arxiv.2107.03045,
title = {Quantum liquid crystals in the finite-field K$\Gamma$ model for $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$},
author = {Masahiko G. Yamada and Satoshi Fujimoto},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2107.03045},
year = {2021}
}