Spin-charge-density wave in a squircle-like Fermi surface for ultracold atoms

Abstract

We derive and discuss an experimentally realistic model describing ultracold atoms in an optical lattice including a commensurate, but staggered, Zeeman field. The resulting band structure is quite exotic; fermions in the third band have an unusual rounded picture-frame Fermi surface (essentially two concentric squircles), leading to imperfect nesting. We develop a generalized SO(3,1)xSO(3,1) theory describing the spin and charge degrees of freedom simultaneously, and show that the system can develop a coupled spin-charge-density wave order. This ordering is absent in studies of the Hubbard model that treat spin and charge density separately.