Spin-only approach to quantum magnetism in the ordered stripe state

Abstract

It has been argued that the spin-dynamics in cuprate superconductors is governed by the proximity to a zero-temperature critical point. This critical point would be related to a transition from the superconducting phase to an ordered stripe state. Using a coupled spin-ladder model, we investigate to what extent the strong quantum spin-fluctuations in the ordered stripe state can be attributed to the spin sector. For the bond-centered stripes, we find that our spin-only model can account for the observed spin-fluctuations. For site-ordered stripes, coupling of the spin and charge sector is needed.