Condensed Matter Theory

Abstract:

In fractional quantum Hall physics, the Hilbert space is projected to a single Landau level and the entire Hamiltonian consists of just the projected interelectron interaction. Haldane's pseudopotential formalism has been an extremely useful tool both for understanding these interactions and for understanding the quantum Hall states that result. In the current paper, we consider the analog of this pseudopotential construction that results from general M -body interactions rather than the usual (Coulomb) two-body interaction. © 2007 The American Physical Society.

Abstract:

We investigate the consequences for geometrically frustrated antiferromagnets of weak disorder in the strength of exchange interactions. Taking as a model the classical Heisenberg antiferromagnet with nearest neighbor exchange on the pyrochlore lattice, we examine low-temperature behavior. We show that spatial modulation of exchange generates long-range effective interactions within the extensively degenerate ground states of the clean system. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we find a spin glass transition at a temperature set by the disorder strength. Disorder of this type, which is generated by random strains in the presence of magnetoelastic coupling, may account for the spin freezing observed in many geometrically frustrated magnets.