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Olav F. Syljuåsen

Publications and source records attributed to Olav F. Syljuåsen.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

Nematostriction in frustrated two-dimensional Heisenberg models

We investigate the nematic phase transition in the Heisenberg $J_1$-$J_2$-model on square and triangular lattices, accounting for finite lattice compressibility and bond-length-dependent magnetic exchange. Using Nematic Bond Theory, a diagrammatic self-consistent method, we study the nematostriction that happens when the onset of nematic order in the spin-system drives a concomitant structural phase transition. We analyze the mechanisms by which the magnetoelastic couplings renormalize the critical temperature and modify the phonon spectrum. The magnetoelastic feedback can also alter fundamentally the nature of the phase transition. Specifically, on the square lattice, the transition shifts from continuous to weakly first-order (discontinuous) beyond a critical magnetoelastic coupling threshold. Conversely, on the triangular lattice, the transition remains discontinuous regardless of coupling strength.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2026

Cooper quartets and fractional vortices in frustrated Josephson junction dice arrays

Superconductivity mediated by Cooper quartets of charge 4e is a phenomenon of key importance for both the understanding of certain exotic superconductors and the engineering of quantum memories protected at the hardware level by topological order. Josephson junction arrays in the shape of the dice lattice constitute one of the main candidates for the realization of this phase of matter. Here, we analyze numerical signatures of the emergence of this exotic phase when superconducting dice arrays are frustrated by inserting one third of a flux quantum per rhombic plaquette. We adopt simulations of relaxation dynamics to study the critical current of such devices and analyse the Fourier decomposition of their bulk supercurrents. A further characterization of these systems at finite temperature is obtained through Monte Carlo techniques and two-dimensional infinite tensor networks. Our results indicate that the observed peaks of the critical current and temperature at frustration 1/3 correspond to a superconductor-insulator phase transition compatible with the deconfinement of half-vortices, while the low-temperature correlation functions of the model confirm the onset of a 4e superconducting phase mediated by Cooper quartets. We finally address the effects of Josephson energy and flux disorder typical of experimental arrays, and comment on the role of charging energies in the corresponding two-dimensional quantum model.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗
arXiv2026

Weak first-order phase transition out of the classical kagome spin liquid

The low-temperature fate of the spin-liquid regime in the classical kagome Heisenberg antiferromagnet has been debated for over three decades. Using an expansion in the number of spin components, we show that, contrary to earlier Monte Carlo simulations, the spin liquid terminates at a weak first-order phase transition into the $\sqrt{3}\times\sqrt{3}$ phase which ordered moment saturates at zero temperature. Adding second-neighbor interactions, this transition belongs to a line of first-order phase transitions that ends at a critical point. For comparison, the pyrochlore antiferromagnet remains disordered at all temperatures.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2026

The Finite-Temperature Behavior of a Triangular Heisenberg Antiferromagnet

We investigate the classical antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model on the triangular lattice with up to third-nearest neighbor exchange couplings using the Nematic Bond Theory. This approach allows us to compute the free energy and the neutron scattering static structure factor at finite temperatures. We map out the phase diagram with a particular emphasis on finite-temperature phase transitions that break lattice-rotational symmetries, spiral spin liquids and the broad specific heat hump that is ubiquitous in the antiferromagnetic 120 degree phase. We identify this specific heat hump as signaling the onset of an exponentially increasing correlation length. Further, we map out the temperature of the specific heat hump and the transition temperatures of the symmetry-breaking transitions throughout the exchange-coupling space. Along the line $J_3 = J_2/2$, the Fourier-transformed exchange coupling exhibits a degenerate ring-like minimum, giving rise to spiral spin liquid behavior at intermediate temperatures. We investigate the structure factor of the spiral spin liquid as function of $J_2$ and identify the corresponding low-temperature order, which coincides with the single-$\vec{q}$ spiral states of maximum spin-wave entropy along the degenerate ring.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2025

Field-induced Multi-$\boldsymbol{\vec{Q}}$ States in a Pyrochlore Heisenberg Magnet

We construct exact ground states of the $J_1$-$J_{3b}$ classical Heisenberg model on the pyrochlore lattice in the presence of a magnetic field. They are non-coplanar multi-$\vec{Q}$ spin configurations with a large magnetic unit cell that generalize the previously found coplanar sublattice pairing states. Using linear spin wave theory, we show that entropy favors these multi-$\vec{Q}$ states at low temperatures in high magnetic fields. This is confirmed by Monte Carlo simulations, and a phase diagram is constructed. We also calculate the zero-temperature dynamical structure factor. Besides the usual Goldstone modes associated with the ordering $\vec{Q}$s, we find high intensity gapless modes at momenta where there are no Bragg peaks.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2023

Sublattice Pairing in Pyrochlore Heisenberg Antiferromagnets

We argue that classical pyrochlore Heisenberg antiferromagnets with small further-neighbor couplings can order in a state where pairs of sublattices form antiparallel spirals. The spiral ordering wave vectors of the two pairs are in general different from each other, and are constrained by which sublattices are being paired. This sublattice pairing state generally breaks inversion and most rotation symmetries. Its existence depends on the antiferromagnetic nearest-neighbor coupling which favors the spins on each tetrahedron to sum to zero. To substantiate our argument, we extend the nematic bond theory; a diagrammatic large-$N_s$ method, to non-Bravais lattices, and we demonstrate that the predicted state is indeed realized at low temperatures in a large region of exchange coupling space. We also carry out a spin wave calculation which suggests that the sublattice pairing state is coplanar.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2022

Tuning magnetoelectricity in a mixed-anisotropy antiferromagnet

Control of magnetization and electric polarization is attractive in relation to tailoring materials for data storage and devices such as sensors or antennae. In magnetoelectric materials, these degrees of freedom are closely coupled, allowing polarization to be controlled by a magnetic field, and magnetization by an electric field, but the magnitude of the effect remains a challenge in the case of single-phase magnetoelectrics for application. We demonstrate that the magnetoelectric properties of the mixed-anisotropy antiferromagnet LiNi$_{1-x}$Fe$_x$PO$_4$ are profoundly affected by replacing a fraction of the Ni$^{2+}$ ions with Fe$^{2+}$ on the transition metal site. This introduces random site-dependent single-ion anisotropy energies and causes a lowering of the magnetic symmetry of the system. In turn, magnetoelectric couplings that are symmetry-forbidden in the parent compounds, LiNiPO$_4$ and LiFePO$_4$, are unlocked and the dominant coupling is enhanced by two orders of magnitude. Our results demonstrate the potential of mixed-anisotropy magnets for tuning magnetoelectric properties.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2021

Arc-shaped structure factor in the $J_1$-$J_2$-$J_3$ classical Heisenberg model on the triangular lattice

We study the $J_1$-$J_2$-$J_3$ classical Heisenberg model with ferromagnetic $J_1$ on the triangular lattice using the nematic bond theory. For parameters where the momentum space coupling function $J_{\vec{q}}$ shows a discrete set of minima, we find that the system in general exhibits a single first-order phase transition between the high-temperature ring liquid and the low-temperature single-$\vec{q}$ planar spiral state. Close to where $J_{\vec{q}}$ shows a continuous minimum, we on the other hand find several phase transitions upon lowering the temperature. Most interestingly, we find an intermediate temperature "arc" regime, where the structure factor breaks rotational symmetry and shows a broad arc-shaped maximum. We map out the parameter region over which this arc regime exists and characterize details of its static structure factor over the same region.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2021

Widely existing mixed phase structure of quantum dimer model on square lattice

Since constraints hinder the application of numerical algorithms, phase diagrams of quantum dimer models are still controversial, even on the square lattice. The core controversy is whether the mixed state exists. In this article, we give strong evidences to solve this dispute. With our newly developed sweeping cluster method, we studied the phase diagram of large parameter space by introducing the definition of pair correlation function and other supporting evidence to distinguish the mixed phase from the columnar phase with high precision. In particular, we find that the ground state corresponds to the mixed phase for a vast parameter region.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2019

Magnetic Bloch Oscillations and domain wall dynamics in a near-Ising ferromagnetic chain

When charged particles in periodic lattices are subjected to a constant electric field, they respond by oscillating. Here we demonstrate that the magnetic analogue of these Bloch oscillations are realised in a one-dimensional ferromagnetic easy axis chain. In this case, the "particle" undergoing oscillatory motion in the presence of a magnetic field is a domain wall. Inelastic neutron scattering reveals three distinct components of the low energy spin-dynamics including a signature Bloch oscillation mode. Using parameter-free theoretical calculations, we are able to account for all features in the excitation spectrum, thus providing detailed insights into the complex dynamics in spin-anisotropic chains.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2019

Sweeping cluster algorithm for quantum spin systems with strong geometric restrictions

Quantum spin systems with strong geometric restrictions give rise to rich quantum phases such as valence bond solids and spin liquid states. However, the geometric restrictions often hamper the application of sophisticated numerical approaches. Based on the stochastic series expansion method, we develop an efficient and exact quantum Monte Carlo "sweeping cluster" algorithm which automatically satisfies the geometrical restrictions. Here we use the quantum dimer model as a benchmark to demonstrate the reliability and power of this algorithm. Comparing to existing numerical methods, we can obtain higher accuracy results for a wider parameter region and much more substantial system sizes.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2019

Interplay between Magnetic and Vestigial Nematic Orders in the Layered $J_1$-$J_2$ Classical Heisenberg Model

We study the layered $J_1$-$J_2$ classical Heisenberg model on the square lattice using a self-consistent bond theory. We derive the phase diagram for fixed $J_1$ as a function of temperature $T$, $J_2$ and interplane coupling $J_z$. Broad regions of (anti)ferromagnetic and stripe order are found, and are separated by a first-order transition near $J_2\approx 0.5$ (in units of $|J_1|$). Within the stripe phase the magnetic and vestigial nematic transitions occur simultaneously in first-order fashion for strong $J_z$. For weaker $J_z$ there is in addition, for $J_2^*<J_2 < J_2^{**}$, an intermediate regime of split transitions implying a finite temperature region with nematic order but no long-range stripe magnetic order. In this split regime, the order of the transitions depends sensitively on the deviation from $J_2^*$ and $J_2^{**}$, with split second-order transitions predominating for $J_2^* \ll J_2 \ll J_2^{**}$. We find that the value of $J_2^*$ depends weakly on the interplane coupling and is just slightly larger than $0.5$ for $|J_z| \lesssim 0.01$. In contrast the value of $J_2^{**}$ increases quickly from $J_2^*$ at $|J_z| \lesssim 0.01$ as the interplane coupling is further reduced. In addition, the magnetic correlation length is shown to directly depend on the nematic order parameter and thus exhibits a sharp increase (or jump) upon entering the nematic phase. Our results are broadly consistent with predictions based on itinerant electron models of the iron-based superconductors in the normal-state, and thus help substantiate a classical spin framework for providing a phenomenological description of their magnetic properties.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2017

Cooper Pair Induced Frustration and Nematicity of Two-Dimensional Magnetic Adatom Lattices

We propose utilizing the Cooper pair to induce magnetic frustration in systems of two-dimensional (2D) magnetic adatom lattices on s-wave superconducting surfaces. The competition between singlet electron correlations and the RKKY coupling is shown to lead to a variety of hidden order states that break the point-group symmetry of the 2D adatom lattice at finite temperature. The phase diagram is constructed using a newly developed effective bond theory [M. Schecter et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 119, 157202 (2017)], and exhibits broad regions of long-range vestigial nematic order.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2015

Dynamical structure factor of magnetic Bloch oscillations at finite temperatures

Domain-walls in one-dimensional Ising ferromagnets can undergo Bloch oscillations when subjected to a skew magnetic field. Such oscillations imply finite temperature non-dispersive low-frequency peaks in the dynamical structure factor which can be probed in neutron scattering. We study in detail the spectral weight of these peaks. Using an analytical approach based on an approximate treatment of a gas of spin-cluster excitations we give an explicit expression for the momentum- and temperature-dependence of the spectral weights. Generally the spectral weights increase with temperature and approaches the same order of magnitude as the spin-wave spectral weights at high temperatures. We compare the analytical expression to numerical exact diagonalizations and find that it can, without any adjustable parameters, account for the temperature and momentum-transfer dependence of the numerically obtained spectral weights in the parameter regime where the ratio of magnetic fields $h_x/h_z \ll 1$ and the temperature is $h_x < T <\sim J_z/2$. We also carry out numerical calculations pertinent to the material CoNb$_2$O$_6$, and find qualitatively similar results.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2012

Spectral signatures of magnetic Bloch oscillations in one-dimensional easy-axis ferromagnets

Domain walls in a one-dimensional gapped easy-axis ferromagnet can exhibit Bloch oscillations in an applied magnetic field. We investigate how exchange couplings modify this behavior within an approximation based on noninteracting domain-wall bound states. In particular, we obtain analytical results for the spectrum and the dynamic structure factor, and show where in momentum space to expect equidistant energy levels, the Wannier-Zeeman ladder, which is the spectral signature of magnetic Bloch oscillations. We compare our results to previous calculations employing a single domain-wall approximation, and make predictions relevant for the material $CoCl2\cdot2H2O$.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2010

Spin wave calculation of the field-dependent magnetization pattern around an impurity in Heisenberg antiferromagnets

We consider the magnetic-field dependent spatial magnetization pattern around a general impurity embedded in a Heisenberg antiferromagnet using both an analytical and a numerical spin wave approach. The results are compared to quantum Monte Carlo simulations. The decay of the magnetization pattern away from the impurity follows a universal form which reflects the properties of the pure antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model. Only the overall magnitude of the induced magnetization depends also on the size of the impurity spin and the impurity coupling.

cond-mat.str-el↗