Effective spin-1/2 exchange interactions in Tb$_2$Ti$_2$O$_7$

We derive an effective spin-1/2 exchange model for non-Kramers Tb$^{3+}$ states in the pyrochlore Tb$_2$Ti$_2$O$_7$. The four anisotropic nearest-neighbour exchange constants, as well as next-neighbour exchange constants are derived for the effective model. This work goes beyond the independent tetrahedra model by considering all nearest-neighbour exchange paths on the pyrochlore lattice. Estimates of the exchange constants reveal that Tb$_2$Ti$_2$O$_7$ is described by a quantum spin ice Hamiltonian.

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