Spin-orbit-induced Instability and Finite-Temperature Stabilization of a Triangular-lattice Supersolid

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Authors: Seongjun Park, Sungmin Park, Yun-Tak Oh, Hyun-Yong Lee, Eun-Gook Moon
Cited by: 0

Abstract

Geometrically frustrated triangular-lattice magnets provide fertile ground for realizing intriguing quantum phases such as spin supersolids. A common expectation is that spin-orbit coupling (SOC), which breaks continuous spin rotational symmetry, destabilizes these phases by gapping their low-energy modes. Revisiting this assumption, we map out the SOC-field phase diagram of a frustrated triangular-lattice magnet using spin-wave theory and infinite density-matrix renormalization group (iDMRG) simulations. We find that while infinitesimally weak SOC indeed drives a zero-temperature instability of the supersolid by opening a gap, certain supersolid states remain thermodynamically stable at non-zero temperatures. This reveals a previously unrecognized mechanism in which thermal fluctuations counteract SOC to stabilize supersolidity. The resulting finite-temperature supersolids retain key responses, including a giant magnetocaloric effect, highlighting their potential relevance to real materials. At larger SOC, the system transitions into distinct magnetic orders, including a skyrmion lattice, completing a unified phase diagram.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Advanced Condensed Matter Physics Theoretical and Computational Physics Physics of Superconductivity and Magnetism

Publication details

Journal / source
arXiv (Cornell University)
Publication date
28 January 2026
Document type
Preprint