The SU(3) bosons and the spin nematic state on the spin-1 bilinear-biquadratic triangular lattice

A bond-operator mean-field theory in the SU(3) bosons representation is developed to describe the antiferro-nematic phase of the spin-1 bilinear-biquadratic model. The calculated static structure factors reveal delicately that the antiferro-nematic state may exhibit both the ferro- and antiferro-quadruple long-range orders, which is reminiscent of the ferrimagnets or the canted antiferromagnets. This result may influence the spin wave theory concerned with this phase. Possible relevance of this unconventional state to the quasi-two-dimensional triangular material NiGa2S4 is addressed.