Quantum spin liquid in a $\pi$ flux triangular lattice Hubbard model

We propose the $\pi$ flux triangular lattice Hubbard model ($\pi$-THM) as a prototypical setup to stabilize magnetically disordered quantum states of matter in the presence of charge fluctuations. The quantum paramagnetic domain of the $\pi$-THM which we identify for intermediate Hubbard $U$ is framed by a Dirac semi-metal for weak coupling and by 120${}^{\circ}$ Neel order for strong coupling. Generalizing the Klein duality from spin Hamiltonians to tight-binding models, the $\pi$-THM maps to a Hubbard model which corresponds to the $(J_{\mathrm{H}},J_{\mathrm{K}})=(-1,2)$ Heisenberg-Kitaev model in its strong coupling limit. The $\pi$-THM provides a promising microscopic testing ground for exotic finite-$U$ spin liquid ground states amenable to numerical investigation.