Field-induced dynamical properties of the $XXZ$ model on a honeycomb lattice

Abstract

We present a comprehensive $1/S$ study of the field-induced dynamical properties of the nearest-neighbor $XXZ$ antiferromagnet on a honeycomb lattice using the formalism of the nonlinear spin-wave theory developed for this model. The external magnetic field controls spin frustration in the system and induces non-collinearity of the spin structure, which is essential for the two-magnon decay processes. Our results include an intriguing field-evolution of the regions of the Brillouin zone wherein decays of spin excitations are prominent, a detailed classification of the decay channels involving magnons from both excitation branches, and a thorough analysis of the singularities in the magnon spectra due to coupling to the two magnon continuum, all of which are illustrated for several field and anisotropy values. We highlight a number of features related to either the non-Bravais nature of the lattice, or the existence of the Dirac-like points in the spectrum. In addition, the asymptotic behavior of the decay rates near high-symmetry points is analyzed in detail. The inelastic neutron-scattering spin-spin structure factor is obtained in the leading $1/S$ order and is shown to exhibit qualitatively distinct fingerprints of the decay-induced magnon dynamics such as quasiparticle peaks broadened by decays and strong spectral weight redistribution.