Crystals of bound states in the magnetization plateaus of the Shastry-Sutherland model

Abstract

Using infinite projected entangled-pair states (iPEPS), we show that the Shastry-Sutherland model in an external magnetic field has low-magnetization plateaus which, in contrast to previous predictions, correspond to crystals of bound states of triplets, and {\it not} to crystals of triplets. The first sizable plateaus appear at magnetization 1/8, 2/15 and 1/6, in agreement with experiments on the orthogonal-dimer antiferromagnet SrCu$_2$(BO$_3$)$_2$, and they can be naturally understood as regular patterns of bound states, including the intriguing 2/15 one. We also show that, even in a confined geometry, two triplets bind into a {\it localized} bound state with $S_z=2$. Finally, we discuss the role of competing domain-wall and supersolid phases as well as that of additional anisotropic interactions.