One-dimensional spin liquid, collinear, and spiral phases from uncoupled chains to the triangular lattice

We investigate the Hubbard model on the anisotropic triangular lattice with two hopping parameters t and t' in different spatial directions, interpolating between decoupled chains (t = 0) and the isotropic triangular lattice (t = t'). Variational wave functions that include both Jastrow and backflow terms are used to compare spin-liquid and magnetic phases with different pitch vectors describing both collinear and coplanar ( spiral) order. For relatively large values of the on-site interaction U/t' greater than or similar to 10 and substantial frustration, i.e., 0.3 less than or similar to t/t' less than or similar to 0.8, the spin-liquid state is clearly favored over magnetic states. Spiral magnetic order is only stable in the vicinity of the isotropic point, while collinear order is obtained in a wide range of interchain hoppings from small to intermediate frustration.