Work

Orbital Liquid in Three-Dimensional Mott Insulator: LaTiO3

Year: 2000

Type: article

Abstract: We present a theory of spin and orbital states in Mott insulator LaTiO3. The spin-orbital superexchange interaction between d(1)(t(2g)) ions in cubic crystal suffers from a pathological degeneracy of orbital states at the classical level. Quantum effects remove this degeneracy and result in the formation of the coherent ground state, in which the orbital moment of t(2g) level is fully quenched. We find a finite gap for orbital excitations. Such a disordered state of local degrees of freedom on unfrustrated, simple cubic lattice is highly unusual. Orbital liquid state naturally explains observed anomalies of LaTiO3.

Source: Physical Review Letters

DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.85.3950

Authors: G. Khaliullin, S. Maekawa

Institutions: Tohoku University, Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Condensed Matter Physics

Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology

OpenAlex ID: W1968651027

FWCI: 9.233

Cites: 22

Cited by: 267

Related to: 10