Spin-Liquid phase of the Multiple-Spin Exchange Hamiltonian on the Triangular Lattice

Abstract

We performed an exact diagonalization study of the spin liquid phase of the Multiple-Spin Exchange model on the triangular lattice. It is characterized by no Neel Long Range Order (NLRO), short-ranged magnetic correlations and a spin gap. We found no LRO in any local order parameter we investigated (chiral, dimer,...). The probable asymptotic ground state degeneracy is discussed. We argue that it could be of topological origin and that the system is probably not a chiral spin liquid. A possible relation to the Affleck-Kennedy-Lieb-Tasaki (AKLT) phase is discussed.