Hydrodynamics of quantum spin liquids

Quantum spin liquids are topological states of matter that arise in frustrated quantum magnets at low temperatures. At low energies, such states exhibit emergent gauge fields and fractionalized quasiparticles and can also possess enhanced global symmetries compared to their parent microscopic Hamiltonians. We study the consequences of this emergent gauge and symmetry structure for the hydrodynamics of quantum spin liquids. Specifically, we analyze two cases, the U (1) spin liquid with a Fermi surface and the SU (4)-symmetric algebraic spin liquid. We show that the emergent degrees of freedom in the spin liquid phase lead to a variety of additional hydrodynamic modes compared to the high-temperature paramagnetic phase. We identify a hydrodynamic regime for the internal U (1) gauge field common to both states, characterized by slow diffusion of the internal transverse photon.

Automated summary

Quantum spin liquids are topological states of matter that emerge in frustrated quantum magnets at low temperatures, exhibiting emergent gauge fields and fractionalized quasiparticles, with enhanced global symmetries. The study shows that the emergent gauge and symmetry structure in spin liquids result in a variety of additional hydrodynamic modes compared to high-temperature paramagnetic phases. A hydrodynamic regime for the internal U(1) gauge field common to both states is identified, characterized by slow diffusion of the internal transverse photon.