Incommensurate spin density wave as a signature of spin-orbit coupling

Abstract

Close to half filling and in the limit of strong interactions the Hubbard model leads a spin Hamiltonian. In its original isotropic form this is the Heisenberg model with antiferromagnetic coupling $J$. On a square lattice there is no frustration and the ground state is a classical antiferromagnet denoted by the commensurate order vector ${\bf Q}=(\pi,\pi)$. In this work we show that the inclusion of spin orbit coupling (SOC) in the fermionic Hubbard model on a square lattice leads to an incommensurate spin density wave (ISDW) in the strong interactions limit at half filling. In this limit the Hubbard model leads to a non-diagonal and anisotropic spin Hamiltonian which exhibits the incommensurate spin order as its classical ground state. We note that an ISDW can be found in systems regardless of spin orbit-coupling due to nesting and lattice distortion. These effects, however, can usually be recognized by experimental probes.