arXiv subjects

Fabien Alet

Publications and source records attributed to Fabien Alet.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2014

Baxter-Wu model in a transverse magnetic field

We investigate the low-energy properties as well as quantum and thermal phase transitions of the Baxter-Wu model in a transverse magnetic field. Our study relies on stochastic series expansion quantum Monte Carlo and on series expansions about the low- and high-field limits at zero temperature using the quantum finite-lattice method on the triangular lattice. The phase boundary consists of a second-order critical line in the 4-state Potts model universality class starting from the pure Baxter-Wu limit meeting a first-order line connected to the zero-temperature transition point ($h\approx2.4$, $T=0$). Both lines merge at a tricritical point approximatively located at ($h\approx 2.3J$, $T\approx J$).

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

Improving entanglement and thermodynamic Rényi entropy measurements in quantum Monte Carlo

We present a method for improving measurements of the entanglement Rényi entropies in quantum Monte Carlo simulations by relating them with measurements of participation Rényi entropies. Exploiting the capability of building improved estimators for the latter allows to obtain very good estimates for entanglement Rényi entropies. When considering a full system instead of a bipartition, the method can be further ameliorated providing access to the thermodynamic Rényi entropies with high accuracy. We also explore a recently-proposed method for the reconstruction of the entanglement spectrum from entanglement Rényi entropies and finally show how potential entanglement Hamiltonians may be tested for their validity using a comparison with thermal Rényi entropies.

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arXiv2014

Participation spectroscopy and entanglement Hamiltonian of quantum spin models

Shannon-Rényi entropies and associated participation spectra quantify how much a many-body wave-function is localized in a given configuration basis. Using these tools, we present an analysis of the ground-state wave functions of various quantum spin systems in one and two dimensions. General ideas and a review of the current status of this field are first given, with a particular emphasis on universal subleading terms characterizing different quantum phases of matter, and associated transitions. We highlight the connection with the related entanglement entropies and spectra when this is possible. In a second part, new results are presented for the participation spectra of interacting spin models, mostly based on quantum Monte Carlo simulations, but also using perturbation theory in some cases. For full antiferromagnetic systems, participation spectra are analyzed in terms of ferromagnetic domain walls which experience a repulsive pairwise interaction. This confinement potential is either linear for long-range Néel order, or logarithmic for quasi-long-range order. The case of subsystems is also analyzed in great detail for a 2d dimerized Heisenberg model undergoing a quantum phase transition between a gapped paramagnet and a Néel phase. Participation spectra of line shaped (1d) sub-systems are quantitatively compared with finite temperature participation spectra of ansatz effective boundary (1d) entanglement Hamiltonians. While short-range models describe almost perfectly the gapped side, the Néel regime is best compared using long-range effective Hamiltonians. Spectral comparisons performed using Kullback-Leibler divergences, a tool potentially useful for entanglement spectra, provide a quantitative way to identify both the best boundary entanglement Hamiltonian and temperature.

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arXiv2014

Valence bond distribution and correlation in bipartite Heisenberg antiferromagnets

Every singlet state of a quantum spin 1/2 system can be decomposed into a linear combination of valence bond basis states. The range of valence bonds within this linear combination as well as the correlations between them can reveal the nature of the singlet state, and are key ingredients in variational calculations. In this work, we study the bipartite valence bond distributions and their correlations within the ground state of the Heisenberg antiferromagnet on bipartite lattices. In terms of field theory, this problem can be mapped to correlation functions near a boundary. In dimension d >= 2, a non-linear sigma model analysis reveals that at long distances the probability distribution P(r) of valence bond lengths decays as |r|^(-d-1) and that valence bonds are uncorrelated. By a bosonization analysis, we also obtain P(r) proportional to |r|^(-d-1) in d=1 despite the different mechanism. On the other hand, we find that correlations between valence bonds are important even at large distances in d=1, in stark contrast to d >= 2. The analytical results are confirmed by high-precision quantum Monte Carlo simulations in d=1, 2, and 3. We develop a single-projection loop variant of the valence bond projection algorithm, which is well-designed to compute valence bond probabilities and for which we provide algorithmic details.

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arXiv2014

Shannon-Rényi entropies and participation spectra across 3d $O(3)$ criticality

Universal features in the scalings of Shannon-Rényi entropies of many-body groundstates are studied for interacting spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ systems across (2+1) dimensional $O(3)$ critical points, using quantum Monte Carlo simulations on dimerized and plaquettized Heisenberg models on the square lattice. Considering both full systems and line shaped subsystems, $SU(2)$ symmetry breaking on the Néel ordered side of the transition is characterized by the presence of a logarithmic term in the scaling of Shannon-Rényi entropies, which is absent in the disordered gapped phase. Such a difference in the scalings allows to capture the quantum critical point using Shannon-Rényi entropies for line shaped subsystems of length $L$ embedded in $L\times L$ tori, as the smaller subsystem entropies are numerically accessible to much higher precision than for the full system. Most interestingly, at the quantum phase transition an additive subleading constant $b_\infty^{*\rm line}=0.41(1)$ emerges in the critical scaling of the line Shannon-Rényi entropy $S_\infty^\text{line}$. This number appears to be universal for 3d $O(3)$ criticality, as confirmed for the finite-temperature transition in the 3d antiferromagnetic spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ Heisenberg model. Additionally, the phases and phase transition can be detected in several features of the participation spectrum, consisting of the diagonal elements of the reduced density matrix of the line subsystem. In particular the Néel ordering transition can be simply understood in the $\{S^z\}$ basis by a confinement mechanism of ferromagnetic domain walls.

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arXiv2014

Universal behavior beyond multifractality in quantum many-body systems

How many states of a configuration space contribute to a wave-function? Attempts to answer this ubiquitous question have a long history in physics and chemistry, and are keys to understand e.g. localization phenomena. Quantifying this aspect has often been overlooked for interacting many-body quantum systems, mainly due to the exponential growth of the configuration (Hilbert) space. Here, we introduce two Monte Carlo schemes to calculate Shannon-Renyi entropies for ground-states of large quantum many-body systems that are out of reach for any other exact method. Our simulations reveal that the very nature of quantum phases of matter and associated transitions is captured by universal subleading terms in these entropies, on top of a generic dominant multifractal behavior.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2013

Néel to valence-bond solid transition on the honeycomb lattice: Evidence for deconfined criticality

We study a spin-1/2 SU(2) model on the honeycomb lattice with nearest-neighbor antiferromagnetic exchange $J$ that favors Néel order, and competing 6-spin interactions $Q$ which favor a valence bond solid (VBS) state in which the bond-energies order at the "columnar" wavevector ${\mathbf K} = (2π/3,-2π/3)$. We present quantum Monte-Carlo evidence for a direct continuous quantum phase transition between Néel and VBS states, with exponents and logarithmic violations of scaling consistent with those at analogous deconfined critical points on the square lattice. Although this strongly suggests a description in terms of deconfined criticality, the measured three-fold anisotropy of the phase of the VBS order parameter shows unusual near-marginal behaviour at the critical point.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2012

Coexistence of long-range and algebraic correlations for short-range valence-bond wave functions in three dimensions

We investigate nearest-neighbor valence-bond wave functions on bipartite three-dimensional lattices. By performing large-scale Monte Carlo simulations, we find that long-range magnetic order coexists with dipolar four-spin correlations on the cubic lattice, this latter feature being reminiscent of the Coulomb phase for classical dimers on the same lattice. Similar properties are found for the lower-coordination diamond lattice. While this suggests that the coexistence of magnetic order and dipolar four-spin correlations is generic for bipartite three-dimensional lattices, we show that simple generalizations of these wave functions can encode different ordering behaviors.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Impurity spin texture at a Néel-Valence Bond Solid critical point in $d=2$ SU(3) quantum antiferromagnets

We study the impurity physics at a continuous quantum phase transition from an SU(3) symmetric Néel ordered state to a valence bond solid state that breaks lattice symmetries, using quantum Monte Carlo techniques. This continuous transition is expected to be an example of `deconfined criticality' in an SU(3) symmetric system. We find that the spin-texture induced by a missing-spin defect at the transition takes on a finite-size scaling form consistent with expectations from standard scaling arguments at a scale-invariant quantum critical point, albeit with significant subleading power-law finite size corrections that we analyze in detail. Together with recently-found logarithmic violations of scaling at similar continuous transitions in the SU(2) case, our results provide indirect evidence for the existence of operators that become marginal as $N$ is reduced to 2 in the field theoretical description of these deconfined critical points.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Critical Correlations for Short-Range Valence-Bond Wave Functions on the Square Lattice

We investigate the arguably simplest $SU(2)$-invariant wave functions capable of accounting for spin-liquid behavior, expressed in terms of nearest-neighbor valence-bond states on the square lattice and characterized by different topological invariants. While such wave-functions are known to exhibit short-range spin correlations, we perform Monte Carlo simulations and show that four-point correlations decay algebraically with an exponent $1.16(4)$. This is reminiscent of the {\it classical} dimer problem, albeit with a slower decay. Furthermore, these correlators are found to be spatially modulated according to a wave-vector related to the topological invariants. We conclude that a recently proposed spin Hamiltonian that stabilizes the here considered wave-function(s) as its (degenerate) ground-state(s) should exhibit gapped spin and gapless non-magnetic excitations.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Valence bond entanglement entropy of frustrated spin chains

We extend the definition of the recently introduced valence bond entanglement entropy to arbitrary SU(2) wave functions of S=1/2 spin systems. Thanks to a reformulation of this entanglement measure in terms of a projection, we are able to compute it with various numerical techniques for frustrated spin models. We provide extensive numerical data for the one-dimensional J1-J2 spin chain where we are able to locate the quantum phase transition by using the scaling of this entropy with the block size. We also systematically compare with the scaling of the von Neumann entanglement entropy. We finally underline that the valence-bond entropy definition does depend on the choice of bipartition so that, for frustrated models, a "good" bipartition should be chosen, for instance according to the Marshall sign.

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arXiv2010

Geometric entanglement of critical XXZ and Ising chains and Affleck-Ludwig boundary entropies

We study the geometrical entanglement of the XXZ chain in its critical regime. Recent numerical simulations [Q.-Q. Shi, R. Orús, J. O. Fjærestad and H.-Q Zhou, New J. Phys. {\bf 12}, 025008 (2010)] indicate that it scales linearly with system size, and that the first subleading correction is constant, which was argued to be possibly universal. In this work, we confirm the universality of this number, by relating it to the Affleck-Ludwig boundary entropy corresponding to a Neumann boundary condition for a free compactified field. We find that the subleading constant is a simple function of the compactification radius, in agreement with the numerics. As a further check, we compute it exactly on the lattice at the XX point. We also discuss the case of the Ising chain in transverse field and show that the geometrical entanglement is related to the Affleck-Ludwig boundary entropy associated to a ferromagnetic boundary condition.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2010

Quantum Critical Scaling of Fidelity Susceptibility

The behavior of the ground-state fidelity susceptibility in the vicinity of a quantum critical point is investigated. We derive scaling relations describing its singular behavior in the quantum critical regime. Unlike it has been found in previous studies, these relations are solely expressed in terms of conventional critical exponents. We also describe in detail a quantum Monte Carlo scheme that allows for the evaluation of the fidelity susceptibility for a large class of many-body systems and apply it in the study of the quantum phase transition for the transverse-field Ising model on the square lattice. Finite size analysis applied to the so obtained numerical results confirm the validity of our scaling relations. Furthermore, we analyze the properties of a closely related quantity, the ground-state energy's second derivative, that can be numerically evaluated in a particularly efficient way. The usefulness of both quantities as alternative indicators of quantum criticality is examined.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Impurity spin texture at a deconfined quantum critical point

The spin texture surrounding a non-magnetic impurity in a quantum antiferromagnet is a sensitive probe of the novel physics of a class of quantum phase transitions between a Neel ordered phase and a valence bond solid phase in square lattice S=1/2 antiferromagnets. Using a newly developed T=0 Quantum Monte Carlo technique, we compute this spin texture at these transitions and find that it does not obey the universal scaling form expected at a scale invariant quantum critical point. We also identify the precise logarithmic form of these scaling violations. Our results are expected to yield important clues regarding the probable theory of these unconventional transitions.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2009

The SU(N) Heisenberg model on the square lattice: a continuous-N quantum Monte Carlo study

A quantum phase transition is typically induced by tuning an external parameter that appears as a coupling constant in the Hamiltonian. Another route is to vary the global symmetry of the system, generalizing, e.g., SU(2) to SU(N). In that case, however, the discrete nature of the control parameter prevents one from identifying and characterizing the transition. We show how this limitation can be overcome for the SU(N) Heisenberg model with the help of a singlet projector algorithm that can treat N continuously. On the square lattice, we find a direct, continuous phase transition between Neel-ordered and crystalline bond-ordered phases at Nc=4.57(5) with critical exponents z=1 and beta/nu=0.81(3).

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2009

Quantum Monte Carlo simulations of fidelity at magnetic quantum phase transitions

When a system undergoes a quantum phase transition, the ground-state wave-function shows a change of nature, which can be monitored using the fidelity concept. We introduce two Quantum Monte Carlo schemes that allow the computation of fidelity and its susceptibility for large interacting many-body systems. These methods are illustrated on a two-dimensional Heisenberg model, where fidelity estimators show marked behaviours at two successive quantum phase transitions. We also develop a scaling theory which relates the divergence of the fidelity susceptibility to the critical exponent of the correlation length. A good agreement is found with the numerical results.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2009

Coulomb gas transitions in three-dimensional classical dimer models

Close-packed, classical dimer models on three-dimensional, bipartite lattices harbor a Coulomb phase with power-law correlations at infinite temperature. Here, we discuss the nature of the thermal phase transition out of this Coulomb phase for a variety of dimer models which energetically favor crystalline dimer states with columnar ordering. For a family of these models we find a direct thermal transition from the Coulomb phase to the dimer crystal. While some systems exhibit (strong) first-order transitions in correspondence with the Landau-Ginzburg-Wilson paradigm, we also find clear numerical evidence for continuous transitions. A second family of models undergoes two consecutive thermal transitions with an intermediate paramagnetic phase separating the Coulomb phase from the dimer crystal. We can describe all of these phase transitions in one unifying framework of candidate field theories with two complex Ginzburg-Landau fields coupled to a U(1) gauge field. We derive the symmetry-mandated Ginzburg-Landau actions in these field variables for the various dimer models and discuss implications for their respective phase transitions.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2009

The semiflexible fully-packed loop model and interacting rhombus tilings

Motivated by a recent adsorption experiment [M.O. Blunt et al., Science 322, 1077 (2008)], we study tilings of the plane with three different types of rhombi. An interaction disfavors pairs of adjacent rhombi of the same type. This is shown to be a special case of a model of fully-packed loops with interactions between monomers at distance two along a loop. We solve the latter model using Coulomb gas techniques and show that its critical exponents vary continuously with the interaction strenght. At low temperature it undergoes a Kosterlitz-Thouless transition to an ordered phase, which is predicted from numerics to occur at a temperature T \sim 110K in the experiments.

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