In this talk, I will review the zero temperature properties of the Rokhsar-Kivelson Quantum Dimer Model on the triangular lattice as revealed by exact diagonalizations and Green’s function Monte Carlo simulations. A detailed comparison of the properties in different topological sectors as a function of the cluster size and for different cluster shapes allows one to identify different phases, and in particular to show explicitly the presence of topological degeneracy in a phase close to the Rokhsar-Kivelson point, in agreement with the identification of this phase as an RVB (Resonating Valence Bond) phase by Moessner and Sondhi on the basis of finite-temperature Quantum Monte Carlo simulations [Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 1881, 2002] . The possibility to realize such a phase in Mott insulators with orbital degeneracy will also be discussed.

Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne