arXiv subjects

Frank Verstraete

Publications and source records attributed to Frank Verstraete.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The local characterization of global tensor network eigenstates

We study the conditions under which Matrix Product States (MPS) or Matrix Product Operators are exact eigenvectors of an extensive local operator, such as a Hamiltonian. By suitably choosing the local operator, this covers a wide range of settings: Exact eigenstates of Hamiltonians, including scar states, exact MPS trajectories for driven quantum systems, steady states of local Lindbladians, generalized symmetries of either Hamiltonians or density matrices, and many more. Our key result is that a local, fixed-size equation---namely, how a single term in the operator acts on a block of tensors---provides a necessary and sufficient condition for exact solutions. This local characterization allows us to obtain the full space of MPS solutions to all of the aforementioned problems; in particular, we exemplify the power of our results by recovering the quantum group symmetries of the XXZ model. We also discuss applications to numerical algorithms with MPS and the generalization of our results to 2D, i.e., projected entangled pair states (PEPS).

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Symmetric mass generation of interacting chiral fermions on a one-dimensional lattice without fermion doubling

Symmetric mass generation is the interaction-induced opening of a fermion gap without spontaneous symmetry breaking. The anomaly-free 3-4-5-0 model of Wang and Wen provides a minimal one-dimensional setting for this phenomenon, but a direct lattice realization faces two obstacles: fermion doubling for local chiral discretizations and perturbative irrelevance of the six-fermion gapping interaction. We address both obstacles. First, we formulate the model on a strictly one-dimensional tangent-fermion lattice, where a nonlocal hopping produces a single chiral branch without a mirror partner while retaining an efficient tensor-network representation. Second, we add a Hubbard-type density-density interaction (Luttinger parameter $K$) that reduces the scaling dimension of the 3-4-5-0 interaction from $5$ to $5K$, making it relevant for $K<2/5$. Density-matrix renormalization group calculations show the opening of an excitation gap in this regime without the appearance of a degenerate ground state, the hallmark of symmetric mass generation.

hep-th↗

arXiv2026

Symmetry-enriched topological order in tensor networks: Defects, gauging and anyon condensation

We study symmetry-enriched topological order in two-dimensional tensor network states by using graded matrix product operator algebras to represent symmetry-induced domain walls. A close connection to the theory of graded unitary fusion categories is established. Tensor network representations of the topological defect superselection sectors are constructed for all domain walls. The emergent symmetry-enriched topological order is extracted from these representations, including the symmetry action on the underlying anyons. Dual phase transitions, induced by gauging a global symmetry, and condensation of a bosonic subtheory, are analyzed and the relationship between topological orders on either side of the transition is derived. Several examples are worked through explicitly.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

What is the group of a quantum group? From $SL_q(2)$ to MPO representations of $SL(2)$

Generalized symmetries realized by matrix product operators (MPOs) have so far been tied to discrete data leaving continuous symmetries outside the framework. Quantum groups fill this gap: starting from the RTT relations of $SL_q(2)$ at an odd root of unity $q^d=1$, we construct a three-parameter family of periodic-boundary MPOs of bond dimension $d^2$ that multiply according to the group law of $SL(2)$. This gives Lusztig's quantum Frobenius map a concrete operator form, and endows the XXZ chain on the ring at $Δ=(q+q^{-1})/2$ with an intrinsically non-local $SU(2)$ symmetry. Fusion of the local tensors is generically semisimple. On special loci it is non-semisimple, and yields reducible but indecomposable tensors with Jordan blocks. Differentiating $\mathcal{D}(g)$ at the identity produces the $\mathfrak{sl}(2)$ generators as $d$-body operators: the MPO algebra supplies the exponential map for quantum group algebras.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2026

On the origin of finite entanglement scaling

The concept of finite entanglement scaling forms one of the pillars on which the tensor network ecosystem is built. In this paper, we resolve the open problem of determining the actual perturbations induced by matrix product state approximations of critical systems, and we demonstrate that these can be quite different than the ones predicted by conformal field theory. To that aim, we develop a sparse linear solver to calculate the forward and backward derivatives of 2-dimensional tensor networks with respect to their defining parameters in an implicit way. This algorithm is of independent interest as it provides a primitive for the variational optimization of projected entangled pair states that circumvents the instabilities plaguing traditional automatic differentiation methods.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Implicit differentiation of tensor network algorithms

The current leading approach to the variational optimization of projected entangled-pair states (PEPS) is based on automatic differentiation, which allows for a convenient evaluation of the energy gradient with respect to the local variational degrees of freedom. However, evaluating the energy gradient not only remains a major computational bottleneck of the optimization procedure, but also suffers from frequent numerical instabilities. In this work, we adopt recent advances in implicit differentiation techniques to address these challenges in PEPS optimization. By reformulating the core step of the gradient computation in terms of a single characteristic equation for the contraction environment, we reduce the cost of the gradient computation and improve its scaling with the problem size. By choosing a suitable parametrization of this characteristic equation based on the intrinsic symmetries of the contraction environment, we can directly remove instabilities from the global gradient computation that would otherwise arise from the derivatives of subroutines of the contraction algorithm. Finally, we demonstrate how this approach drastically simplifies the practical implementation of stable gradient-based PEPS optimization.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Efficient and simple Gibbs state preparation of the 2D toric code via duality to classical Ising chains

We introduce the notion of polynomial-depth duality transformations, which relates two sets of operator algebras through a conjugation by a poly-depth quantum circuit, and make use of this to construct efficient Gibbs samplers for a variety of interesting quantum Hamiltonians as they are poly-depth dual to classical Hamiltonians. This is for example the case for the 2D toric code, which is demonstrated to be poly-depth dual to two decoupled classical Ising spin chains for any system size, and we give evidence that such dualities hold for a wide class of stabilizer Hamiltonians. Additionally, we extend the above notion of duality to Lindbladians in order to show that mixing times and other quantities such as the spectral gap or the modified logarithmic Sobolev inequality are preserved under duality.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Perfect Particle Transmission through Duality Defects

We study wavepackets that propagate across (a) topological interfaces in quantum spin systems exhibiting non-invertible symmetries and (b) duality defects coupling dual theories. We demonstrate that the transmission is always perfect, and that a particle traversing the interface is converted into a nonlocal string-like excitation. We give a systematic way of constructing such a defect by identifying its Hilbert space with the virtual bond dimension of the matrix product operator representing defect lines. Our work both gives an operational meaning to topological interfaces, and provides a lattice analogue of recent results solving the monopole paradox in quantum field theory.

hep-th↗

arXiv2026

Intertwining Markov Processes via Matrix Product Operators

Duality transformations reveal unexpected equivalences between seemingly distinct models. We introduce an out-of-equilibrium generalisation of matrix product operators to implement duality transformations in one-dimensional boundary-driven Markov processes on lattices. In contrast to local dualities associated with generalised symmetries, here the duality operator intertwines two Markov processes via generalised exchange relations and realises the out-of-equilibrium duality globally. We construct these operators exactly for the symmetric simple exclusion process with distinct out-of-equilibrium boundaries. In this case, out-of-equilibrium boundaries are dual to equilibrium boundaries satisfying Liggett's condition, implying that the Gibbs-Boltzmann measure captures out-of-equilibrium physics when leveraging the duality operator. We illustrate this principle through physical applications.

math-ph↗

arXiv2026

Global Tensor Network Renormalization for 2D Quantum systems: A new window to probe universal data from thermal transitions

We propose a new tensor network renormalization group (TNR) scheme based on global optimization and introduce a new method for constructing the finite-temperature density matrix of two-dimensional quantum systems. Combining these two into a new algorithm called thermal tensor network renormalization (TTNR), we obtain highly accurate conformal field theory (CFT) data at thermal transition points. This provides a new and efficient route for numerically identifying phase transitions, offering an alternative to the conventional analysis via critical exponents.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2026

Gauge-covariant projected entangled paired states for interacting systems in a magnetic field

The Hamiltonian for a system of itinerant particles on a two-dimensional lattice in a uniform magnetic field reduces the translational symmetry to a magnetic translation group, because of the need to choose a particular gauge for the vector potential. Nonetheless, in many situations all physical observables of the ground state remain entirely translation invariant. In this work, we introduce a projected entangled-pair state (PEPS) wavefunction with a pattern of virtual flux tensors, for which all physical expectation values are translation invariant by construction, possibly within an enlarged unit cell reflecting any symmetry breaking in the target state. Moreover, we show that the usual contraction and optimization methods for translation-invariant PEPS can be used, with the magnetic flux per plaquette only entering as a continuous parameter in the tensor network contractions. Therefore, our approach provides a method for simulating an interacting many-body system in a uniform magnetic field independently of the gauge choice for the vector potential and bypassing the need to consider extended magnetic unit cells.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

From gauging to duality in one-dimensional quantum lattice models

Gauging and duality transformations, two of the most useful tools in many-body physics, are shown to be equivalent up to constant depth quantum circuits in the case of one-dimensional quantum lattice models. This is demonstrated by making use of matrix product operators, which provide the lattice representation theory for global (categorical) symmetries as well as a classification of duality transformations. Our construction makes the symmetries of the gauged theory manifest and clarifies how to deal with static background fields when gauging generalised symmetries.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2026

Spiral renormalization group flow and universal entanglement spectrum of the non-Hermitian 5-state Potts model

The quantum $5$-state Potts model is known to possess a perturbative description using complex conformal field theory (CCFT), the analytic continuation of ``theory space" to a complex plane. To study the corresponding complex fixed point on the lattice, the model must be deformed by an additional non-Hermitian term due to its complex coefficient $λ$. Although the variational principle breaks down in this case, we demonstrate that tensor network algorithms are still capable of simulating these non-Hermitian theories. We access system sizes up to $L = 28$, which enable the observation of the theoretically predicted spiral flow of the running couplings. Moreover, we reconstruct the full boundary CCFT spectrum through the entanglement Hamiltonian encoded in the ground state. Our work demonstrates how tensor networks are the correct approach to capturing the approximate conformal invariance of weakly first-order phase transitions.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2026

Les Houches Lecture Notes on Tensor Networks

Tensor networks provide a powerful new framework for classifying and simulating correlated and topological phases of quantum matter. Their central premise is that strongly correlated matter can only be understood by studying the underlying entanglement structure and its associated (generalised) symmetries. In essence, tensor networks provide a compressed, holographic description of the complicated vacuum fluctuations in strongly correlated systems, and as such they break down the infamous many-body exponential wall. These lecture notes provide a concise overview of the most important conceptual, computational and mathematical aspects of this theory.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

XYZ integrability the easy way

Sutherland showed that the XYZ quantum spin-chain Hamiltonian commutes with the eight-vertex model transfer matrix, so that Baxter's subsequent tour de force proves the integrability of both. The proof requires parametrising the Boltzmann weights using elliptic theta functions and showing they satisfy the Yang-Baxter equation. We here give a simpler derivation of the integrability of the XYZ chain by explicitly constructing an extensive sequence of conserved charges from a matrix-product operator. We show that they commute with the XYZ Hamiltonian with periodic boundary conditions or an arbitrary boundary magnetic field. A straightforward generalisation yields impurity interactions that preserve the integrability. Placing such an impurity at the edge gives an integrable generalisation of the Kondo problem with a gapped bulk. We make contact with the traditional approach by relating our matrix-product operator to products of the eight-vertex model transfer matrix.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2025

Entanglement and the density matrix renormalisation group in the generalised Landau paradigm

The fields of entanglement theory and tensor networks have recently emerged as central tools for characterising quantum phases of matter. In this article, we determine the entanglement structure of ground states of gapped symmetric quantum lattice models, and use this to obtain the most efficient tensor network representation of those ground states. We do this by showing that degeneracies in the entanglement spectrum arise through a duality transformation of the original model to the unique dual model where the entire dual (generalised) symmetry is spontaneously broken and subsequently no degeneracies are present. Physically, this duality transformation amounts to a (twisted) gauging of the unbroken symmetry in the original ground state. This result has strong implications for the complexity of simulating many-body systems using variational tensor network methods. For every phase in the phase diagram, the dual representation of the ground state that completely breaks the symmetry minimises both the entanglement entropy and the required number of variational parameters. We demonstrate the applicability of this idea by developing a generalised density matrix renormalisation group algorithm that works on (dual) constrained Hilbert spaces, and quantify the computational gains obtained over traditional tensor network methods in a perturbed Heisenberg model. Our work testifies to the usefulness of generalised non-invertible symmetries and their formal category theoretic description for the practical simulation of strongly correlated systems.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Trading Mathematical for Physical Simplicity: Bialgebraic Structures in Matrix Product Operator Symmetries

Despite recent advances in the lattice representation theory of (generalized) symmetries, many simple quantum spin chains of physical interest are not included in the rigid framework of fusion categories and weak Hopf algebras. We demonstrate that this problem can be overcome by relaxing the requirements on the underlying algebraic structure, and show that general matrix product operator symmetries are described by a pre-bialgebra. As a guiding example, we focus on the anomalous $\mathbb Z_2$ symmetry of the XX model, which manifests the mixed anomaly between its $U(1)$ momentum and winding symmetry. We show how this anomaly is embedded into the non-semisimple corepresentation category, providing a novel mechanism for realizing such anomalous symmetries on the lattice. Additionally, the representation category which describes the renormalization properties is semisimple and semi-monoidal, which provides a new class of mixed state renormalization fixed points. Finally, we show that up to a quantum channel, this anomalous $\mathbb Z_2$ symmetry is equivalent to a more conventional MPO symmetry obtained on the boundary of a double semion model. In this way, our work provides a bridge between well-understood topological defect symmetries and those that arise in more realistic models.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Finite-size scaling on the torus with periodic projected entangled-pair states

An efficient algorithm is constructed for contracting two-dimensional tensor networks under periodic boundary conditions. The central ingredient is a novel renormalization step that scales linearly with system size, i.e. from $L \to L+1$. The numerical accuracy is comparable to state-of-the-art tensor network methods, while giving access to much more data points, and at a lower computational cost. Combining this contraction routine with the use of automatic differentiation, we arrive at an efficient algorithm for optimizing fully translation invariant projected entangled-pair states on the torus. Our benchmarks show that this method yields finite-size energy results that are comparable to those from quantum Monte Carlo simulations. When combined with field-theoretical scaling techniques, our approach enables accurate estimates of critical properties for two-dimensional quantum lattice systems.

cond-mat.str-el↗