Testing for topological order in variational wavefunctions for Z(2) spin liquids
Abstract
We determine the conditions under which a spin-liquid Mott insulator |0> defined by a Gutzwiller projected BCS state at half-filling is Z(2) fractionalized. We construct a trial vison [Z(2) vortex] state |V> by projecting an (hc/2e) vortex threading the hole of a cylinder/torus and examine its overlap with |0> using analytical and numerical calculations. We find that generically the overlap vanishes in the thermodynamic limit, so the spin-liquid is Z(2) fractionalized. We point out the relevance of these results to numerical studies of Hubbard-like models and spin models which have been recently reported to possess spin liquid phases. We also consider possible implications for flux-trapping experiments that have tested for Z(2) fractionalization in underdoped high temperature superconductors.
Cite
@article{arxiv.cond-mat/0405353,
title = {Testing for topological order in variational wavefunctions for Z(2) spin liquids},
author = {Arun Paramekanti and Mohit Randeria and Nandini Trivedi},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/0405353},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
8 pages, 4 eps figures, detailed version of cond-mat/0303360 with additional material