Stability and magnetization curve of spin-nematic phase slightly below saturation field

Abstract

We discuss the magnetization process slightly below the saturation field in frustrated magnets. A condensation of bound magnons on the spin-polarized state induces either a spin nematic phase or a state with phase separation. The (effective) interaction between the bound magnon pairs not only is crucial to the stability of the nematic phase, but also determines the slope of the magnetization curve near saturation. We generally derive the expression of this interaction by using the perturbative scattering theory. By applying the method to coupled zigzag chains LiCuVO4, we find the positive pair-pair interaction implying the stability of the spin nematic phase. We also point out that the magnetization curve of LiCuVO4 is almost vertical (i.e. very large dM/dH) near the saturation exhibiting one-dimensional feature despite non-negligible interchain couplings.