Translation-enriched $Z_2$ spin liquids and topological vison bands: Possible application to $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$

Abstract

Inspired by experiments on the magnetic field induced phases of the spin-orbit coupled $2d$ Mott insulator $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$, we study some general aspects of gapped $Z_2$ Quantum Spin Liquids (QSL) enriched by lattice translation symmetry. We show that there are $12$ distinct such phases with different implementations of translation symmetry. In some of these phases the vison excitations of this QSL may form topological Chern bands. We explore a phenomenological description of a putative $Z_2$ QSL as a candidate ground state at intermediate magnetic fields in $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$. This state has broad continuum spectra in neutron scattering, a "bosonic" thermal Hall signal that goes to zero at zero temperature, and a natural connection with a zigzag magnetic ordered state, all of which are also seen in $\alpha$-RuCl$_3$. On general grounds continuum scattering will also be seen at multiple points in the Brillouin zone in this state.