arXiv subjects

Judit Romhányi

Publications and source records attributed to Judit Romhányi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Landau Theory for Non-relativistic Magnetism Beyond Altermagnetism

In this work we study phenomenological Landau theories of non-relativistic magnetic systems, generalizing work on the collinear case to coplanar and non-coplanar orders. Focusing on zero-wavevector ($\boldsymbol{k}=0$) magnetic orders described by a single irreducible representation of the crystallographic point group, we construct the symmetry-allowed free energies to quartic order for all possible multi-dimensional irreducible ordering channels. We find distinct Landau theories for tetragonal, trigonal/hexagonal, and cubic symmetry. Similar to the case of spin-nematic fluids, we find two natural outcomes: a collapse to a lower-symmetry collinear phase or a genuinely coplanar or non-coplanar order where the order parameters form a mutually orthogonal set in spin space -- reminiscent of the $A$ and $B$ phases in ${}^3$He. We show in general that this symmetry-broken phase realizes the spin space group associated with the spatial representation of the order parameter sharing the same parent space group as the paramagnetic phase. This provides a direct link between the Landau and spin space group approaches. We calculate key observables using this Landau approach, including net magnetization, spin conductivity, multipolar moments, and piezomagnetism, connecting our results to constraints from the underlying spin space group. Examples of coplanar and non-coplanar magnetic orders for each case are worked out in detail. Finally, we discuss the relationship of the lower-symmetry collinear phases to the usual collinear spin groups, as well as connections to atomic altermagnetism, superfluid ${}^3$He and electronic nematic phases.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2026

Fracton Spin Liquid and Exotic Frustrated Phases in Ising-like Octochlore Magnets

For nearly three decades, research on frustrated magnetism in three dimensions (3D) has centered on the pyrochlore lattice of corner-sharing tetrahedra and the classical spin liquid (CSL) known as spin ice. We propose that a lattice of corner-sharing octahedra -- the octochlore lattice -- may provide a next-generation platform for 3D frustrated magnetism, with realizations in anti-perovskite and alkali-rare-earth fluoride compounds. We study the phase diagram of Ising moments on the octochlore lattice, finding a variety of frustrated phases including CSLs and phases with subextensive ground state degeneracy intermediate between spin liquids and long-range order. Utilizing a cluster multipole framework, we present a unified treatment of this variety of frustrated behaviors. In addition to a spin ice CSL, we identify a fracton CSL with excitations restricted to move along one-dimensional (1D) lines, a classical U(1) equivalent of the paradigmatic X-cube model harboring fracton topological order. These "lineon" quasiparticles carry magnetic quadrupole moments, contrasting the famous magnetic monopoles of spin ice. These two CSLs lie at the boundaries of a parent "frustrated chains" phase with subextensive degeneracy. Each CSL corresponds to a condensate of different bound states of 1D ferro-spinons, giving rise to quasi-critical dimensional crossovers near the ends of the frustrated chains phase associated to avoided Kasteleyn-like transitions. We also find a spin nematic phase whose ground states may be viewed as fracton crystals, exhibiting both uniaxial and biaxial orders. The latter is caused by spontaneous dimensional reduction owing to accidental symmetries of the subextensive ground state manifold. This work paves the way for the realization of fracton CSLs and the exploration of other exotic states in underexplored octochlore magnetic materials.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2026

AKLT Hamiltonian from Hubbard tripods

We investigate how the spin-1 Affleck-Kennedy-Lieb-Tasaki (AKLT) Hamiltonian can emerge from a microscopic fermionic model based on half-filled Hubbard tripods. We first show that a single tripod hosts a robust threefold-degenerate low-energy manifold corresponding to an effective $S = 1$ degree of freedom. This manifold prevails over a broad range of interactions and remains stable against moderate disorder. We then combine exact diagonalization with fourth-order quasi-degenerate perturbation theory to derive an effective bilinear-biquadratic spin model for a pair of coupled tripods and identify coupling regimes where the target ratio is approached. In particular, tuning leg-center hopping together with two symmetry-inequivalent leg-leg hoppings yields the characteristic singlet-triplet degeneracy associated with a biquadratic-to-bilinear ratio close to 1/3. Extending the analysis to three tripods, we compare nonequivalent coupling geometries and find a strategy that suppresses unwanted longer-range and multispin terms while preserving the target nearest-neighbor couplings in the weak-coupling regime. These results establish a concrete bottom-up route from Hubbard clusters to valence-bond-solid spin physics in tunable quantum-dot arrays.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

Pinch points and half moons encode Berry curvature

"Half moons", distinctive crescent patterns in the dynamical structure factor, have been identified in inelastic neutron scattering experiments for a wide range of frustrated magnets. In an earlier paper [H. Yan et al., Phys. Rev. B 98, 140402(R) (2018)] we have shown how these features are linked to the local constraints realized in classical spin liquids. Here we explore their implication for the topology of magnon bands. The presence of half moons indicates a separation of magnetic degrees of freedom into irrotational and incompressible components. Where bands satisfying these constraints meet, it is at a singular point encoding Berry curvature of $\pm 2π$. Interactions which mix the bands open a gap, resolving the singularity, and leading to bands with finite Berry curvature, accompanied by characteristic changes to half--moon motifs. These results imply that inelastic neutron scattering can, in some cases, be used to make rigorous inference about the topological nature of magnon bands.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

Triplet nodal lines and Chern bands in XCuCl$_{3}$ (X= K, Tl)

We investigate the symmetry-enforced line nodes of the triplet excitations of XCuCl$_{3}$ (X= K, Tl), showing that they are protected by the nonsymmorphic symmetries and are unaffected by the microscopic details, such as interaction and anisotropy strength, as long as the ground state and the symmetry group remain unaltered. Extending the conventionally used isotropic spin model for XCuCl$_{3}$, our analysis includes all the symmetry-allowed anisotropies and gives a detailed account of the role they play in the band topology of triplets. We show that the triplet line nodes carry nontrivial Berry phases and compute their $Z_2$ topological indices. To investigate the effect of breaking the nonsymmorphic symmetry protecting the triplet nodes, we apply a magnetic field tilted away from the high symmetry $(010)$ axis. We find that while the g-tensor anisotropy behaves as a trivial mass gapping out the triplets, exchange anisotropies supply a nontrivial momentum-dependent mass term. Analogous to Haldane's original model, the competition of these mass terms determines the nature of the band topology in XCuCl$_{3}$. To enable an analytic study of the band topology we derive an effective Dirac Hamiltonian and validate it by computing the band structure and topological indices in the nodal line and gapped phases from the linear bond-wave formalism.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

The Crystallographic Spin Point Groups and their Representations

The spin point groups are finite groups whose elements act on both real space and spin space. Among these groups are the magnetic point groups in the case where the real and spin space operations are locked to one another. The magnetic point groups are central to magnetic crystallography for strong spin-orbit coupled systems and the spin point groups generalize these to the intermediate and weak spin-orbit coupled cases. The spin point groups were introduced in the 1960's in the context of condensed matter physics and enumerated shortly thereafter. In this paper, we complete the theory ofcrystallographic spin point groups by presenting an account of these groups and their representation theory. Our main findings are that the so-called nontrivial spin point groups (numbering $598$ groups) have co-irreps corresponding exactly to the (co-)-irreps of regular or black and white groups and we tabulate this correspondence for each nontrivial group. However a total spin group, comprising the product of a nontrivial group and a spin-only group, has new co-irreps in cases where there is continuous rotational freedom. We provide explicit co-irrep tables for all these instances. We also discuss new forms of spin-only group extending the Litvin-Opechowski classes. To exhibit the usefulness of these groups to physically relevant problems we discuss a number of examples from electronic band structures of altermagnets to magnons.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2023

Where is the Quantum Spin Nematic?

We provide strong evidence of the spin-nematic state in a paradigmatic ferro-antiferromagnetic $J_1$--$J_2$ model using analytical and density-matrix renormalization group methods. In zero field, the attraction of spin-flip pairs leads to a first-order transition and no nematic state, while pair-repulsion at larger $J_2$ stabilizes the nematic phase in a narrow region near the pair-condensation field. A devil's staircase of multi-pair condensates is conjectured for weak pair-attraction. A suppression of the spin-flip gap by many-body effects leads to an order-of-magnitude contraction of the nematic phase compared to naïve expectations. The proposed phase diagram should be broadly valid.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2022

Semi-classical simulation of spin-1 magnets

Theoretical studies of magnets have traditionally concentrated on either classical spins, or the extreme quantum limit of spin-1/2. However, magnets built of spin-1 moments are also intrinsically interesting, not least because they can support quadrupole, as well as dipole moments, on a single site. For this reason, spin-1 models have been extensively studied as prototypes for quadrupolar (spin-nematic) order in magnetic insulators, and Fe-based superconductors. At the same time, because of the presence of quadrupoles, the classical limit of a spin-1 moment is not an $O(3)$ vector, a fact which must be taken into account in describing their properties. In this Article we develop a method to simulate spin-1 magnets based on a $u(3)$ algebra which treats both dipole and quadrupole moments on equal footing. This approach is amenable to both classical and quantum calculations, and we develop the techniques needed to calculate thermodynamic properties through Monte Carlo simulations and classical low-temperature expansion, and dynamical properties, through "molecular dynamics" simulations and a multiple-boson expansion. As a case study, we present detailed analytic and numerical results for the thermodynamic properties of ferroquadrupolar order on the triangular lattice, and its associated dynamics. At low temperatures, we show that it is possible to "correct" for the effects of classical statistics in simulations, and extrapolate to the zero-temperature quantum results found in flavour-wave theory.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2021

Fragility of $\mathcal{Z}_2$ topological invariant characterizing triplet excitations in a bilayer kagome magnet

The discovery by Kane and Mele of a model of spinful electrons characterized by a $\mathcal{Z}_2$ topological invariant had a lasting effect on the study of electronic band structures. Given this, it is natural to ask whether similar topology can be found in the band-like excitations of magnetic insulators, and recently models supporting $\mathcal{Z}_2$ topological invariants have been proposed for both magnon [Kondo et al. Phys. Rev. B 99, 041110(R) (2019)] and triplet [D. G. Joshi and A. P. Schnyder, Phys. Rev. B 100, 020407 (2019)] excitations. In both cases, magnetic excitations form time--reversal (TR) partners, which mimic the Kramers pairs of electrons in the Kane-Mele model but do not enjoy the same type of symmetry protection. In this paper, we revisit this problem in the context of the triplet excitations of a spin model on the bilayer kagome lattice. Here the triplet excitations provide a faithful analog of the Kane-Mele model as long as the Hamiltonian preserves the TR$\times$U(1) symmetry. We find that exchange anisotropies, allowed by the point group and typical in realistic models, break the required TR$\times$U(1) symmetry and instantly destroy the $\mathcal{Z}_2$ band topology. We further consider the effects of TR breaking by an applied magnetic field. In this case, the lifting of spin-degeneracy leads to a triplet Chern insulator, which is stable against the breaking of TR$\times$U(1) symmetry. Kagome bands realize both a quadratic and a linear band touching, and we provide a thorough characterization of the Berry curvature associated with both cases. We also calculate the triplet-mediated spin Nernst and thermal Hall signals which could be measured in experiments. These results suggest that the $\mathcal{Z}_2$ topology of band-like excitations in magnets may be intrinsically fragile compared to their electronic counterparts.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Topological states in the Kronig-Penney model with arbitrary scattering potentials

We use an exact solution to the fundamental finite Kronig-Penney model with arbitrary positions and strengths of scattering sites to show that this iconic model can possess topologically non-trivial properties. By using free parameters of the system as extra dimensions we demonstrate the appearance of topologically protected edge states as well as the emergence of a Hofstadter butterfly-like quasimomentum spectrum, even in the case of small numbers of scattering sites. We investigate the behaviour of the system in the weak and strong scattering regimes and observe drastically different shapes of the quasimomentum spectrum.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Multipolar edge states in the breathing kagome model

Excitations of ordered insulating magnets gain renewed interest due to their potential topological properties and the natural realization of magnetic analogues of the celebrated topological models. In this paper we go beyond these parallels and explore what else is there in the unconventional excitations of quantum magnets. We study the topologically nontrivial multiplet excitations of the antiferromagnetic spin-1/2 kagome system with strong breathing anisotropy and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. We show that in the chiral magnetic ground state the excitations can be characterized by a spin-1/2 doublet and a spin-3/2 quartet. With the use of magnetic field we can tune the quartet through a band touching topological phase transition, when a novel spin-3/2 Dirac cone is formed by the touching of four bands. In the topologically nontrivial regime the spin-3/2 bands have large Chern numbers -3, -1, 1, 3. In an open system the emerging chiral edge states naturally inherit the multipolar characters and we find novel quadrupolar edge modes.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2017

Magnetoelectric memory function with optical readout

The ultimate goal of multiferroic research is the development of new-generation non-volatile memory devices, the so-called magnetoelectric (ME) memories, where magnetic bits are controlled via electric fields without the application of electrical currents subject to dissipation. This low-power operation exploits the entanglement of the magnetization and the electric polarization coexisting in multiferroic materials. Here we demonstrate the optical readout of ME memory states in the antiferromagnetic (AFM) and antiferroelectric (AFE) LiCoPO$_4$, based on the strong absorption difference of THz radiation between its two types of ME domains. This unusual contrast is attributed to the dynamic ME effect of the spin-wave excitations, as confirmed by our microscopic model, which also captures the characteristics of the observed static ME effect. Our proof-of-principle study, demonstrating the control and the optical readout of ME domains in LiCoPO$_4$, lays down the foundation for future ME memory devices based on antiferroelectric-antiferromagnetic insulators.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2017

Direct observation of spin-quadrupolar excitations in Sr$_2$CoGe$_2$O$_7$ by high field ESR

Exotic spin-multipolar ordering in spin transition metal insulators has so far eluded unambiguous experimental observation. A less studied, but perhaps more feasible fingerprint of multipole character emerges in the excitation spectrum in the form of quadrupolar transitions. Such multipolar excitations are desirable as they can be manipulated with the use of light or electric field and can be captured by means of conventional experimental techniques. Here we study single crystals of multiferroic Sr$_2$CoGe$_2$O$_7$, and show that due to its nearly isotropic nature a purely quadrupolar bimagnon mode appears in the electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra. This non-magnetic spin-excitation couples to the electric field of the light and becomes observable for a specific experimental configuration, in full agreement with a theoretical analysis of the selection rules.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2017

Spin-Orbit Dimers and Non-Collinear Phases in $d^1$ Cubic Double Perovskites

We formulate and study a spin-orbital model for a family of cubic double perovskites with $d^1$ ions occupying a frustrated fcc sublattice. A variational approach and a complimentary analytical analysis reveal a rich variety of phases emerging from the interplay of Hund's and spin-orbit couplings (SOC). The phase digram includes non-collinear ordered states, with or without net moment, and, remarkably, a large window of a non-magnetic disordered spin-orbit dimer phase. The present theory uncovers the physical origin of the unusual amorphous valence bond state experimentally suggested for Ba$_2B$MoO$_6$ ($B$=Y,Lu), and predicts possible ordered patterns in Ba$_2B$OsO$_6$ ($B$=Na,Li) compounds.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Orbital reconstruction in nonpolar tetravalent transition-metal oxide layers

A promising route to tailoring the electronic properties of quantum materials and devices rests on the idea of orbital engineering in multilayered oxide heterostructures. Here we show that the interplay of interlayer charge imbalance and ligand distortions provides a knob for tuning the sequence of electronic levels even in intrinsically stacked oxides. We resolve in this regard the $d$-level structure of layered Sr$_2$IrO$_4$ by electron spin resonance. While canonical ligand-field theory predicts $g_{\parallel}$-factors $\!<\!2$ for positive tetragonal distortions as present in Sr$_2$IrO$_4$, the experiment indicates $g_{\parallel}\!>\!2$. This implies that the iridium $d$ levels are inverted with respect to their normal ordering. State-of-the-art electronic-structure calculations confirm the level switching in Sr$_2$IrO$_4$, whereas we find them in Ba$_2$IrO$_4$ to be instead normally ordered. Given the nonpolar character of the metal-oxygen layers, our findings highlight the tetravalent transition-metal 214 oxides as ideal platforms to explore $d$-orbital reconstruction in the context of oxide electronics.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Subharmonic transitions and Bloch-Siegert shift in electrically driven spin resonance

We theoretically study coherent subharmonic (multi-photon) transitions of a harmonically driven spin. We consider two cases: magnetic resonance (MR) with a misaligned, i.e., non-transversal driving field, and electrically driven spin resonance (EDSR) of an electron confined in a one-dimensional, parabolic quantum dot, subject to Rashba spin-orbit interaction. In the EDSR case, we focus on the limit where the orbital level spacing of the quantum dot is the greatest energy scale. Then, we apply time-dependent Schrieffer-Wolff erturbation theory to derive a time-dependent effective two-level Hamiltonian, allowing to describe both MR and EDSR using the Floquet theory of periodically driven two-level systems. In particular, we characterise the fundamental (single-photon) and the half-harmonic (two-photon) spin transitions. We demonstrate the appearance of two-photon Rabi oscillations, and analytically calculate the fundamental and half-harmonic resonance frequencies and the corresponding Rabi frequencies. For EDSR, we find that both the fundamental and the half-harmonic resonance frequency changes upon increasing the strength of the driving electric field, which is an effect analogous to the Bloch-Siegert shift known from MR. Remarkably, the drive-strength dependent correction to the fundamental EDSR resonance frequency has an anomalous, negative sign, in contrast to the corresponding Bloch-Siegert shift in MR which is always positive. Our analytical results are supported by numerical simulations, as well as by qualitative interpretations for simple limiting cases.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Hall effect of triplons in a dimerized quantum magnet

The celebrated Shastry Sutherland model has a gapped dimer singlet ground state. The material SrCu$_2$(BO$_3$)$_2$ serves as a good realization of this model, upto small anisotropies arising from Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) interactions. The DM interactions admix a triplet component into the singlet ground state and give rise to weakly dispersing triplon bands. We show that an applied magnetic field splits the triplon modes and opens band gaps. Surprisingly, we are left with topological bands with Chern numbers $\pm 2$. SrCu$_2$(BO$_3$)$_2$ thus supports topologically protected triplonic edge modes and is a magnetic analogue of the integer quantum Hall effect. At a critical value of the magnetic field set by the strength of DM interactions, the three triplon bands touch once again in a spin-1 generalization of a Dirac cone, and lose their topological character. We predict a strong thermal Hall signature in the topological regime.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

Entangled tetrahedron ground state and excitations of the magneto-electric skyrmion material Cu$_2$OSeO$_3$

The strongly correlated cuprate Cu$_2$OSeO$_3$ has recently been identified as the first insulating system exhibiting a skyrmion lattice phase. Using a microscopic multi-boson theory for its magnetic ground state and excitations, we establish the presence of two distinct types of modes: a low energy manifold that includes a gapless Goldstone mode and a set of weakly dispersive high-energy magnons. These spectral features are the most direct signatures of the fact that the essential magnetic building blocks of Cu$_2$OSeO$_3$ are not individual Cu spins, but rather weakly-coupled Cu$_4$ tetrahedra. Several of the calculated excitation energies are in nearly perfect agreement with reported Raman and far-infrared absorption data, while the magneto-electric effect determined within the present quantum-mechanical framework is also fully consistent with experiments, giving strong evidence in the entangled Cu$_4$ tetrahedra picture of Cu$_2$OSeO$_3$. The predicted dispersions along with the dynamical dipole and quadrupole spin structure factors call for further experimental tests of this picture.

cond-mat.str-el↗