arXiv subjects

Anders W. Sandvik

Publications and source records attributed to Anders W. Sandvik.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

arXiv2011

Method to characterize spinons as emergent elementary particles

We develop a technique to directly study spinons (emergent spin S = 1/2 particles) in quantum spin models in any number of dimensions. The size of a spinon wave packet and of a bound pair (a triplon) are defined in terms of wave-function overlaps that can be evaluated by quantum Monte Carlo simulations. We show that the same information is contained in the spin-spin correlation function as well. We illustrate the method in one dimension. We confirm that spinons are well defined particles (have exponentially localized wave packet) in a valence-bond-solid state, are marginally defined (with power-law shaped wave packet) in the standard Heisenberg critical state, and are not well defined in an ordered Néel state (achieved in one dimension using long-range interactions).

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2011

Plaquette Renormalization Scheme for Tensor Network States

We present a method for contracting a square-lattice tensor network in two dimensions, based on auxiliary tensors accomplishing successive truncations (renormalization) of 8-index tensors for 2 by 2 plaquettes into 4-index tensors. The scheme is variational, and thus the tensors can be optimized by minimizing the energy. Test results for the quantum phase transition of the transverse-field Ising model confirm that even the smallest possible tensors (two values for each tensor index at each renormalization level) produce much better results than the simple product (mean-field) state.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2011

Computational Studies of Quantum Spin Systems

These lecture notes introduce quantum spin systems and several computational methods for studying their ground-state and finite-temperature properties. Symmetry-breaking and critical phenomena are first discussed in the simpler setting of Monte Carlo studies of classical spin systems, to illustrate finite-size scaling at continuous and first-order phase transitions. Exact diagonalization and quantum Monte Carlo (stochastic series expansion) algorithms and their computer implementations are then discussed in detail. Applications of the methods are illustrated by results for some of the most essential models in quantum magnetism, such as the S=1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet in one and two dimensions, as well as extended models useful for studying quantum phase transitions between antiferromagnetic and magnetically disordered states.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Definitions of entanglement entropy of spin systems in the valence-bond basis

The valence-bond structure of spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnets is closely related to quantum entanglement. We investigate measures of entanglement entropy based on transition graphs, which characterize state overlaps in the overcomplete valence-bond basis. The transition graphs can be generated using projector Monte Carlo simulations of ground states of specific hamiltonians or using importance-sampling of valence-bond configurations of amplitude-product states. We consider definitions of entanglement entropy based on the bonds or loops shared by two subsystems (bipartite entanglement). Results for the bond-based definition agrees with a previously studied definition using valence-bond wave functions (instead of the transition graphs, which involve two states). For the one dimensional Heisenberg chain, with uniform or random coupling constants, the prefactor of the logarithmic divergence with the size of the smaller subsystem agrees with exact results. For the ground state of the two-dimensional Heisenberg model (and also Neel-ordered amplitude-product states), there is a similar multiplicative violation of the area law. In contrast, the loop-based entropy obeys the area law in two dimensions, while still violating it in one dimension - both behaviors in accord with expectations for proper measures of entanglement entropy.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Thermodynamics of a gas of deconfined bosonic spinons in two dimensions

We consider the quantum phase transition between a Neel antiferromagnet and a valence-bond solid (VBS) in a two-dimensional system of S=1/2 spins. Assuming that the excitations of the critical ground state are linearly dispersing deconfined spinons obeying Bose statistics, we derive expressions for the specific heat and the magnetic susceptibility at low temperature T. Comparing with quantum Monte Carlo results for the J-Q model, which is a candidate for a deconfined Neel-VBS transition, we find excellent agreement, including a previously noted logarithmic correction in the susceptibility. In our treatment, this is a direct consequence of a confinement length scale Lambda which is proportional to the correlation length xi raised to a non-trivial power; Lambda ~ xi^(1+a) ~1/T^(1+a), with a>0 (with a approximately 0.2 in the model).

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Example of a first-order Néel to Valence-Bond-Solid transition in two-dimensions

We consider the $S=1/2$ Heisenberg model with nearest-neighbor interaction $J$ and an additional multi-spin interaction $Q_3$ on the square lattice. The $Q_3$ term consists of three bond-singlet projectors and is chosen to favor the formation of a valence-bond solid (VBS) where the valence bonds (singlet pairs) form a staggered pattern. The model exhibits a quantum phase transition from the Néel state to the VBS as a function of $Q_3/J$. We study the model using quantum Monte Carlo (stochastic series expansion) simulations. The Néel-VBS transition in this case is strongly first-order in nature, in contrast to similar previously studied models with continuous transitions into columnar VBS states. The qualitatively different transitions illustrate the important role of an emerging U(1) symmetry in the latter case, which is not possible in the present model due to the staggered VBS pattern (which does not allow local fluctuations necessary to rotate the local VBS order parameter).

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Quantum phase transitions in disordered dimerized quantum spin models and the Harris criterion

We use quantum Monte Carlo simulations to study effects of disorder on the quantum phase transition occurring versus the ratio g=J/J' in square-lattice dimerized S=1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnets with intra- and inter-dimer couplings J and J'. The dimers are either randomly distributed (as in the classical dimer model), or come in parallel pairs with horizontal or vertical orientation. In both cases the transition violates the Harris criterion, according to which the correlation-length exponent should satisfy nu >= 1. We do not detect any deviations from the three-dimensional O(3) universality class obtaining in the absence of disorder (where nu = 0.71). We discuss special circumstances which allow nu<1 for the type of disorder considered here.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Ground states of a frustrated quantum spin chain with long-range interactions

The ground state of a spin-1/2 Heisenberg chain with both frustration and long-range interactions is studied using Lanczos exact diagonalization. The evolution of the well known dimerization transition of the system with short-range frustrated interactions (the J1-J2 chain) is investigated in the presence of additional unfrustrated interactions decaying with distance as 1/r^a. It is shown that the continuous (infinite-order) dimerization transition develops into a first-order transition between a long-range ordered antiferromagnetic state and a state with coexisting dimerization and critical spin correlations at wave-number k=π/2. The relevance of the model to real systems is discussed.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Effects of edge disorder in nano-scale antiferromagnetic clusters

We study the distribution of local magnetic susceptibilities in the two-dimensional antiferromagnetic S=1/2 Heisenberg model on various random clusters, in order to determine whether effects of edge disorder could be detected in NMR experiments (through the line shape, as given by the distribution of local Knight shifts). Although the effects depend strongly on the nature of the edge and the cluster size, our results indicate that line widths broader than the average shift should be expected even in clusters as large as $\approx 1000$ lattice spacing in diameter. Experimental investigations of the NMR line width should give insights into the magnetic structure of the edges.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Continuous quantum phase transition between an antiferromagnet and a valence-bond-solid in two dimensions; evidence for logarithmic corrections to scaling

The antiferromagnetic to valence-bond-solid phase transition in the two-dimensional J-Q model (an S=1/2 Heisenberg model with four-spin interactions) is studied using large-scale quantum Monte Carlo simulations. The results support a continuous transition of the ground state, in agreement with the theory of "deconfined" quantum criticality. There are, however, large corrections to scaling, of logarithmic or very slowly decaying power-law form, which had not been anticipated. This suggests that either the SU($N$) symmetric noncompact CP^(N-1) field theory for deconfined quantum criticality has to be revised, or that the theory for N=2 (as in the system studied here) differs significantly from N -> infinity (where the field theory is analytically tractable).

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Symmetry breaking and criticality in tensor-product states

We discuss variationally optimized matrix-product states for the transverse-field Ising chain, using D*D matrices with small D=2-10. For finite system size N there are energy minimums for symmetric as well as symmetry-broken states, which cross each other at a field value hc(N,D); thus the transition is first-order. A continuous transition develops as N->infinity. The asymptotic critical behavior is then always of mean-field type (the magnetization exponent beta=1/2), but a window of field strengths where true Ising scaling holds (beta=1/8) emerges with increasing D. We also demonstrate asymptotic mean-field behavior for infinite-size two-dimensional tensor-product (iPEPS) states with small tensors.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2009

Nature of the low-energy excitations of two-dimensional diluted Heisenberg quantum antiferromagnets

We present several different calculations pertaining to the nature of the low-energy excitations of the site-diluted S=1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet, in particular at the percolation point. We present a picture of excitations originating from an effective low-energy subsystem consisting of localized magnetic moments. At the percolation point, these moments lead to an anomalously large dynamic exponent; z=3.6(1). The magnetic moments are shown to originate from local sublattice imbalance, which we study quantitatively using a classical dimer-monomer model. The localization properties of triplet excitations of clusters with singlet ground state are examined using simulations in the valence bond basis. The triplet is shown to affect predominantly sites on the classical monomer regions. The number of sites affected grows as a non-trivial power of the cluster size. We also study a bilayer model, where there is no sublattice imbalance. Accordingly, we find a much smaller dynamic exponent, consistent with quantum rotor (or possibly fracton) excitations.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2009

Impurity-induced frustration in correlated oxides

Using the example of Zn-doped La2CuO4, we demonstrate that a spinless impurity doped into a non-frustrated antiferromagnet can induce substantial frustrating interactions among the spins surrounding it. This counterintuitive result is the key to resolving discrepancies between experimental data and earlier theories. Analytic and quantum Monte Carlo studies of the impurity-induced frustration are in a close accord with each other and experiments. The mechanism proposed here should be common to other correlated oxides as well.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2008

Z4-U(1) crossover of the order parameter symmetry in a two-dimensional valence-bond-solid

We discuss ground-state projector simulations of a modified two-dimensional S=1/2 Heisenberg model in the valence bonds basis. Tuning matrix elements corresponding to the diagonal and off-diagonal terms in the quantum dimer model, we show that there is a quantum phase transition from the antiferromagnet into a columnar valence-bond-solid (VBS). There are no signs of discontinuities, suggesting a continuous or very weakly first-order transition. The Z4-symmetric VBS order parameter exhibits an emergent U(1) symmetry as the phase transition is approached. We extract the associated length-scale governing the U(1)-Z4 cross-over inside the VBS phase.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2008

Insulator to superfluid transition in coupled photonic cavities in two dimensions

A system of coupled photonic cavities on a two-dimensional square lattice is systematically investigated using the stochastic series expansion quantum Monte Carlo method. The ground state phase diagram contains insulating phases with integer polariton densities surrounded by a superfluid phase. The finite-size scaling of the superfluid density is used to determine the phase boundaries accurately. We find that the critical behavior is that of the generic, density-driven Mott-superfluid transition with dynamic exponent $z=2$, with no special multicritical points with $z=1$ at the tips of the insulating-phase lobes (as exist in the case of the Bose-Hubbard model). This demonstrates a limitation of the description of polaritons as structureless bosons.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2008

Edge effects in the two-dimensional spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet

We use quantum Monte Carlo simulations to study effects of free edges in the two-dimensional spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet. We find that the magnetic response of an edge is smaller than the bulk susceptibility. This counter-intuitive quantum effect can be traced to enhanced antiferromagnetic nearest-neighbor spin correlations, i.e., tendency to local singlet formation, at and close to the edge. These correlations form a comb-like pattern, which can be reproduced with a simple variational valence-bond state. We also study rough edges, and find that these instead significantly enhance the susceptibility, due to local sublattice imbalance impeding singlet formation.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2007

Scale-renormalized matrix-product states for correlated quantum systems

A generalization of matrix product states (MPS) is introduced which is suitable for describing interacting quantum systems in two and three dimensions. These scale-renormalized matrix-product states (SR-MPS) are based on a course-graining of the lattice in which the blocks at each level are associated with matrix products that are further transformed (scale renormalized) with other matrices before they are assembled to form blocks at the next level. Using variational Monte Carlo simulations of the two-dimensional transverse-field Ising model as a test, it is shown that the SR-MPS converge much more rapidly with the matrix size than a standard MPS. It is also shown that the use of lattice-symmetries speeds up the convergence very significantly.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2007

Quantum-criticality and percolation in dimer-diluted 2D antiferromagnets

The S=1/2 Heisenberg model is considered on bilayer and single-layer square lattices with couplings J1, J2, and with each spin belonging to one J2-coupled dimer. A transition from a Neel to disordered ground state occurs at a critical value of g=J2/J1. The systems are here studied at their dimer-dilution percolation points p*. The multi-critical point (g*,p*) previously found for the bilayer is not reproduced for the single layer. Instead, there is line of critical points (g < g*,p*) with continuously varying exponents. The uniform magnetic susceptibility diverges as 1/T^a $ with a in the range [1/2,1]. This unusual behavior is attributed to an effective free-moment density T^(1-a). The susceptibility of the bilayer is not divergent but exhibits remarkably robust quantum-critical scaling.

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