Phases and magnetization process of an anisotropic Shastry-Sutherland model

Abstract

We examine ground-state properties of the spin-1/2 easy-axis Heisenberg model on the Shastry-Sutherland lattice with ferromagnetic transverse spin exchange using quantum Monte Carlo and degenerate perturbation theory. For vanishing transverse exchange, the model reduces to an antiferromagnetic Ising model that, besides Néel order, harbors regions of extensive ground-state degeneracy. In the quantum regime, we find a dimerized phase of triplet states separated from the Néel ordered phase by a superfluid. The quantum phase transitions between these phases are characterized. The magnetization process shows a magnetization plateau at 1/3 of the saturation value, which persists down to the Ising limit, and a further plateau at 1/2 only in the quantum regime. For both plateaus, we determine the crystalline patterns of the localized triplet excitations. No further plateaus or supersolid phases are found in this model. © 2008 The American Physical Society.