Dissipative spin dynamics in hot quantum paramagnets

Abstract

We use the functional renormalization approach for quantum spin systems developed by Krieg and Kopietz [Phys. Rev. B $\mathbf{99}$, 060403(R) (2019)] to calculate the spin-spin correlation function $G (\boldsymbol{k}, \omega )$ of quantum Heisenberg magnets at infinite temperature. For small wavevectors $\boldsymbol{k} $ and frequencies $\omega$ we find that $G ( \boldsymbol{k}, \omega )$ assumes in dimensions $d > 2$ the diffusive form predicted by hydrodynamics. In three dimensions our result for the spin-diffusion coefficient ${\cal{D}}$ is somewhat smaller than previous theoretical predictions based on the extrapolation of the short-time expansion, but is still about $30 \%$ larger than the measured high-temperature value of ${\cal{D}}$ in the Heisenberg ferromagnet Rb$_2$CuBr$_4\cdot$2H$_2$O. In reduced dimensions $d \leq 2$ we find superdiffusion characterized by a frequency-dependent complex spin-diffusion coefficient ${\cal{D}} ( \omega )$ which diverges logarithmically in $d=2$, and as a power-law ${\cal{D}} ( \omega ) \propto \omega^{-1/3}$ in $d=1$. Our result in one dimension implies scaling with dynamical exponent $z =3/2$, in agreement with recent calculations for integrable spin chains. Our approach is not restricted to the hydrodynamic regime and allows us to calculate the dynamic structure factor $S ( \boldsymbol{k} , \omega )$ for all wavevectors. We show how the short-wavelength behavior of $S ( \boldsymbol{k}, \omega )$ at high temperatures reflects the relative sign and strength of competing exchange interactions.