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arXiv · 2508.16725

Unnecessary quantum criticality in $SU(3)$ kagome magnets

Yunchao Zhang·Xue-Yang Song·T. Senthil
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Abstract

Algebraic/Dirac spin liquids (DSLs) are a class of critical quantum ground states that do not have a quasi-particle description. DSLs and related spin liquid phases often arise in strongly frustrated quantum spin systems, in which strong correlations and quantum fluctuations among constituent spins persist down to zero temperature. In this work, we analyze Mott insulating phases of $SU(3)$ fermions on a kagome lattice which may realize a DSL phase, described at low energies by $(2 + 1)d$ quantum electrodynamics (QED$_3$) with $N_f=6$ Dirac fermions. By analyzing the action of physical symmetries on the operators of the QED$_3$ theory, we conclude that the low energy DSL is a quantum critical point that can be accessed by tuning a single microscopic parameter. Aided by the emergent symmetry and anomalies of the low energy effective theory, we conjecture and present supporting arguments that the $SU(3)$ Kagome magnet DSL is an unnecessary quantum critical point, lying completely within a single phase.

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Yunchao Zhang, Xue-Yang Song, T. Senthil. 2025-08-22. Unnecessary quantum criticality in $SU(3)$ kagome magnets. https://doi.org/10.21468/scipostphys.20.3.082

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