Quantum phases and thermodynamics of a frustrated spin-1/2 ladder with alternate Ising–Heisenberg rung interactions

Abstract

We study a frustrated two-leg spin ladder with alternate isotropic Heisenberg and Ising rung exchange interactions, whereas, interactions along legs and diagonals are Ising-type. All the interactions in the ladder are anti-ferromagnetic in nature and induce frustration in the system. This model shows four interesting quantum phases: (i) stripe rung ferromagnetic (SRFM), (ii) stripe rung ferromagnetic with edge singlet (SRFM-E), (iii) anisotropic antiferromagnetic (AAFM), and (iv) stripe leg ferromagnetic (SLFM) phase. We construct a quantum phase diagram for this model and show that in stripe rung ferromagnet (SRFM), the same type of sublattice spins (either isotropic S-type or discrete anisotropic σ-type spins) are aligned in the same direction. Whereas, in anisotropic antiferromagnetic phase, both S and σ-type of spins are anti-ferromagnetically aligned with each other, two nearest S spins along the rung form an anisotropic singlet bond whereas two nearest σ spins form an Ising bond. In large Heisenberg rung exchange interaction limit, spins on each leg are ferromagnetically aligned, but spins on different legs are anti-ferromagnetically aligned. The thermodynamic quantities like specific heat C v (T), magnetic susceptibility χ(T) and thermal entropy S(T) are also calculated using the transfer matrix method for various phases. The magnetic gap in the SRFM and the SLFM can be noticed from χ(T) and C v (T) curves.