Spin-charge interplay in electronic liquid crystals: fluctuating spin stripe driven by charge nematic

Abstract

We study the interplay between charge and spin ordering in electronic liquid crystalline states with a particular emphasis on fluctuating spin stripe phenomena observed in recent neutron scattering experiments\cite{Hinkov2008, Haug2009}. Based on a phenomenological model, we propose that charge nematic ordering is indeed behind the formation of temperature dependent incommensurate inelastic peaks near wavevector $(\pi,\pi)$ in the dynamic structure factor of YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6+y}$. We strengthen this claim by providing a compelling fit to the experimental data which cannot be reproduced by a number of other ordering possibilities.