Chiral quantum spin solitons

The concept of chirality is introduced in the quantum dynamics of spin solitons. For half-integer spin chains we find as universal properties that the Brillouin zone is halved and that two subsequent band minima have opposite chirality. This effect occurs in quasi-one-dimensional (1D) magnets in the semiclassical limit, in anisotropic spin-1/2 chains and for holes propagating in a two-dimensional (2D) antiferromagnetic background. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.