Theory of triplon dynamics in the quantum magnet BiCu2PO6

Abstract

We provide a theory of triplon dynamics in the valence bond solid ground state of the coupled spin ladders modeled for BiCu2PO6. Utilizing the recent high-quality neutron scattering data [K. W. Plumb et al., Nat. Phys. 12, 224 (2016)10.1038/nphys3566] as guides and a theory of interacting triplons via the bond operator formulation, we determine a minimal spin Hamiltonian for this system. It is shown that the splitting of the low-energy triplon modes and the peculiar magnetic field dependence of the triplon dispersions can be explained by including substantial Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya and symmetric anisotropic spin interactions. Taking into account the interactions between triplons and the decay of the triplons to the two-triplon continuum via anisotropic spin interactions, we provide a theoretical picture that can be used to understand the main features of the recent neutron scattering experimental data.