Ground-State Phase Diagram of the Multiple-Spin Exchange Model with up to the Six-Spin Exchange Interactions on the Triangular Lattice

Abstract

The ground state of the multiple-spin exchange model with up to the six-spin exchange interactions on a triangular lattice in the magnetic field is investigated within the mean-field approximation. By comparing the phase diagrams of systems with and without the five- and six-spin interactions, we find that the five- and six-spin interactions expand the ferromagnetic phase. In contrast, the antiferromagnetic-like phases are contracted. A phase with a 1/2 plateau is also contracted by the five- and six-spin interactions. In addition to the results that have not yet been reported for systems with up to the four-spin interactions, we obtain new phases for systems with up to the six-spin interactions. In particular, a 1/6 plateau appears in the low magnetic field near the ferromagnetic phase in the magnetization process. This phase has a twelve-sublattice structure in which a unit cell consists of seven spins parallel to the magnetic field and five spins antiparallel to it.