Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1009.1307 · Physical Review B

Critical correlations for short-range valence-bond wave functions on the square lattice

A. Fabricio Albuquerque, Fabien Alet

Published Nov 16, 2010• 49 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

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 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 nonmagnetic excitations.

DOI
10.1103/physrevb.82.180408

Related papers

Correlation Functions in SU(2)-Invariant Resonating-Valence-Bond Spin Liquids on Nonbipartite Lattices

Julia Wildeboer, Alexander Seidel

We introduce a Monte Carlo scheme based on sampling of Pfaffians to investigate Anderson's resonating-valence-bond (RVB) spin liquid wave function on the kagome and the triangular lattice. This eliminates a sign problem that prevents utilization of the valence bond basis in Monte Carlo studies for nonbipartite lattices. Studying lattice sizes of up to 600 sites, we calculate singlet-singlet and spin-spin correlations and demonstrate how the lattice symmetry is restored within each topological sector as the system size is increased. Our findings are consistent with the expectation that the nearest-neighbor RVB states describe a topological spin liquid on these nonbipartite lattices.

arXiv:1203.6621•Physical Review Letters•Oct 5, 2012•23 citations

Constructing a Gapless Spin-Liquid State for the Spin- 1/2 J1−J2 Heisenberg Model on a Square Lattice

Ling Wang, Didier Poilblanc, Zheng‐Cheng Gu +2 more

We construct a class of projected entangled pair states which is exactly the resonating valence bond wave functions endowed with both short range and long range valence bonds. With an energetically preferred resonating valence bond pattern, the wave function is simplified to live in a one-parameter variational space. We tune this variational parameter to minimize the energy for the frustrated spin-1/2 J(1)-J(2) antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model on the square lattice. Taking a cylindrical geometry, we are able to construct four topological sectors with an even or odd number of fluxes penetrating the cylinder and an even or odd number of spinons on the boundary. The energy splitting in different topological sectors is exponentially small with the cylinder perimeter. We find a power law decay of the dimer correlation function on a torus, and a lnL correction to the entanglement entropy, indicating a gapless spin-liquid phase at the optimum parameter.

arXiv:1301.4492•Physical Review Letters•Jul 17, 2013•136 citations

Constructing a Gapless Spin-Liquid State for the Spin-1/2 J[subscript 1]-J[subscript 2] Heisenberg Model on a Square Lattice

Ling Wang, Didier Poilblanc, Zheng‐Cheng Gu +2 more

We construct a class of projected entangled pair states which is exactly the resonating valence bond wave functions endowed with both short range and long range valence bonds. With an energetically preferred resonating valence bond pattern, the wave function is simplified to live in a one-parameter variational space. We tune this variational parameter to minimize the energy for the frustrated spin-1/2 J[subscript 1]-J[subscript 2] antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model on the square lattice. Taking a cylindrical geometry, we are able to construct four topological sectors with an even or odd number of fluxes penetrating the cylinder and an even or odd number of spinons on the boundary. The energy splitting in different topological sectors is exponentially small with the cylinder perimeter. We find a power law decay of the dimer correlation function on a torus, and a ln⁡L correction to the entanglement entropy, indicating a gapless spin-liquid phase at the optimum parameter.

APS•Jul 1, 2013•0 citations

Properties of resonating-valence-bond spin liquids and critical dimer models

Ying Tang, Anders W. Sandvik, Christopher L. Henley

We use Monte Carlo simulations to study properties of Anderson's resonating-valence-bond (RVB) spin-liquid state on the square lattice (i.e., the equal superposition of all pairing of spins into nearest-neighbor singlet pairs) and compare with the classical dimer model (CDM). The latter system also corresponds to the ground state of the Rokhsar-Kivelson quantum dimer model at its critical point. We find that, although spin-spin correlations decay exponentially in the RVB, four-spin valence-bond-solid correlations are critical, qualitatively like the well-known dimer-dimer correlations of the CDM, but decaying more slowly (as $1/{r}^{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ with $\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\approx}1.20$, compared with $\ensuremath{\alpha}=2$ for the CDM). We also compute the distribution of monomer (defect) pair separations, which decay by a larger exponent in the RVB than in the CDM. We further study both models in their different winding-number sectors and evaluate the relative weights of different sectors. Like the CDM, all the observed RVB behaviors can be understood in the framework of a mapping to a ``height'' model characterized by a gradient-squared stiffness constant $K$. Four independent measurements consistently show a value ${K}_{\mathrm{RVB}}\ensuremath{\approx}1.6{K}_{\mathrm{CDM}}$, with the same kinds of numerical evaluations of ${K}_{\mathrm{CDM}}$ giving results in agreement with the rigorously known value ${K}_{\mathrm{CDM}}=\ensuremath{\pi}/16$. The background of a nonzero winding-number gradient $W/L$ introduces spatial anisotropies and an increase in the effective $K$, both of which can be understood as a consequence of anharmonic terms in the height-model free energy, which are of relevance to the recently proposed scenario of ``Cantor deconfinement'' in extended quantum dimer models. In addition to the standard case of short bonds only, we also studied ensembles in which fourth-neighbor (bipartite) bonds are allowed at a density controlled by a tunable fugacity, resulting (as expected) in a smooth reduction of $K$.

arXiv:1010.6146•Physical Review B•Nov 21, 2011•69 citations

Two distinct spin liquid states in a layered cubic lattice

Jin Xu, K. S. D. Beach

We construct a family of short-range resonating-valence-bond wave functions on a layered cubic lattice, allowing for a tunable anisotropy in the amplitudes assigned to nearest-neighbour valence bonds along one axis. Monte Carlo simulations reveal that four phases are stabilized over the full range of the anisotropy parameter. They are separated from one another by a sequence of continuous quantum phase transitions. An antiferromagnetic phase, centred on the perfect isotropy point, intervenes between two distinct quantum spin liquid states. One of them is continuously deformable to the two-dimensional U(1) spin liquid, which is known to exhibit critical bond correlations. The other has both spin and bond correlations that decay exponentially. The existence of this second phase is proof that, contrary to expectations, neither a bipartite lattice structure nor a conventional Marshall sign rule is an impediment to realizing a fully gapped quantum spin liquid.

arXiv:1311.0004•Oct 31, 2013•1 citation

Linear independence of nearest-neighbor valence-bond states on the kagome lattice and construction of S U ( 2 ) -invariant spin- 1 2 Hamiltonian with a Sutherland-Rokhsar-Kivelson quantum liquid ground state

Alexander Seidel

A class of local $SU(2)$-invariant spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ Hamiltonians is studied that has ground states within the space of nearest-neighbor valence-bond states on the kagome lattice. Cases include ``generalized Klein'' models without obvious non-valence-bond ground states, as well as a ``resonating valence-bond'' Hamiltonian whose unique ground states within the nearest-neighbor valence-bond space are four topologically degenerate ``Sutherland-Rokhsar-Kivelson'' (SRK) -type wave functions, which are expected to describe a gapped ${\mathbb{Z}}_{2}$ spin liquid. The proof of this uniqueness is intimately related to the linear independence of the nearest-neighbor valence-bond states on quite general and arbitrarily large kagome lattices, which is also established in this work. It is argued that the SRK ground states are also unique within the entire Hilbert space depending on properties of the generalized Klein models. Applications of the strategies developed in this work to other lattice types are also discussed.

arXiv:0906.0357•Physical Review B•Oct 29, 2009•35 citations
We investigate the arguably simplest SU(2)SU(2)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 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 nonmagnetic excitations.
We introduce a Monte Carlo scheme based on sampling of Pfaffians to investigate Anderson's resonating-valence-bond (RVB) spin liquid wave function on the kagome and the triangular lattice. This eliminates a sign problem that prevents utilization of the valence bond basis in Monte Carlo studies for nonbipartite lattices. Studying lattice sizes of up to 600 sites, we calculate singlet-singlet and spin-spin correlations and demonstrate how the lattice symmetry is restored within each topological sector as the system size is increased. Our findings are consistent with the expectation that the nearest-neighbor RVB states describe a topological spin liquid on these nonbipartite lattices.
We construct a class of projected entangled pair states which is exactly the resonating valence bond wave functions endowed with both short range and long range valence bonds. With an energetically preferred resonating valence bond pattern, the wave function is simplified to live in a one-parameter variational space. We tune this variational parameter to minimize the energy for the frustrated spin-1/2 J(1)-J(2) antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model on the square lattice. Taking a cylindrical geometry, we are able to construct four topological sectors with an even or odd number of fluxes penetrating the cylinder and an even or odd number of spinons on the boundary. The energy splitting in different topological sectors is exponentially small with the cylinder perimeter. We find a power law decay of the dimer correlation function on a torus, and a lnL correction to the entanglement entropy, indicating a gapless spin-liquid phase at the optimum parameter.
We construct a class of projected entangled pair states which is exactly the resonating valence bond wave functions endowed with both short range and long range valence bonds. With an energetically preferred resonating valence bond pattern, the wave function is simplified to live in a one-parameter variational space. We tune this variational parameter to minimize the energy for the frustrated spin-1/2 J[subscript 1]-J[subscript 2] antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model on the square lattice. Taking a cylindrical geometry, we are able to construct four topological sectors with an even or odd number of fluxes penetrating the cylinder and an even or odd number of spinons on the boundary. The energy splitting in different topological sectors is exponentially small with the cylinder perimeter. We find a power law decay of the dimer correlation function on a torus, and a ln⁡L correction to the entanglement entropy, indicating a gapless spin-liquid phase at the optimum parameter.
We use Monte Carlo simulations to study properties of Anderson's resonating-valence-bond (RVB) spin-liquid state on the square lattice (i.e., the equal superposition of all pairing of spins into nearest-neighbor singlet pairs) and compare with the classical dimer model (CDM). The latter system also corresponds to the ground state of the Rokhsar-Kivelson quantum dimer model at its critical point. We find that, although spin-spin correlations decay exponentially in the RVB, four-spin valence-bond-solid correlations are critical, qualitatively like the well-known dimer-dimer correlations of the CDM, but decaying more slowly (as $1/{r}^{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$ with $\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\approx}1.20$, compared with $\ensuremath{\alpha}=2$ for the CDM). We also compute the distribution of monomer (defect) pair separations, which decay by a larger exponent in the RVB than in the CDM. We further study both models in their different winding-number sectors and evaluate the relative weights of different sectors. Like the CDM, all the observed RVB behaviors can be understood in the framework of a mapping to a ``height'' model characterized by a gradient-squared stiffness constant KKK. Four independent measurements consistently show a value ${K}_{\mathrm{RVB}}\ensuremath{\approx}1.6{K}_{\mathrm{CDM}}$, with the same kinds of numerical evaluations of KCDM{K}_{\mathrm{CDM}}KCDM​ giving results in agreement with the rigorously known value ${K}_{\mathrm{CDM}}=\ensuremath{\pi}/16$. The background of a nonzero winding-number gradient W/LW/LW/L introduces spatial anisotropies and an increase in the effective KKK, both of which can be understood as a consequence of anharmonic terms in the height-model free energy, which are of relevance to the recently proposed scenario of ``Cantor deconfinement'' in extended quantum dimer models. In addition to the standard case of short bonds only, we also studied ensembles in which fourth-neighbor (bipartite) bonds are allowed at a density controlled by a tunable fugacity, resulting (as expected) in a smooth reduction of KKK.
We construct a family of short-range resonating-valence-bond wave functions on a layered cubic lattice, allowing for a tunable anisotropy in the amplitudes assigned to nearest-neighbour valence bonds along one axis. Monte Carlo simulations reveal that four phases are stabilized over the full range of the anisotropy parameter. They are separated from one another by a sequence of continuous quantum phase transitions. An antiferromagnetic phase, centred on the perfect isotropy point, intervenes between two distinct quantum spin liquid states. One of them is continuously deformable to the two-dimensional U(1) spin liquid, which is known to exhibit critical bond correlations. The other has both spin and bond correlations that decay exponentially. The existence of this second phase is proof that, contrary to expectations, neither a bipartite lattice structure nor a conventional Marshall sign rule is an impediment to realizing a fully gapped quantum spin liquid.
A class of local SU(2)SU(2)SU(2)-invariant spin-12\frac{1}{2}21​ Hamiltonians is studied that has ground states within the space of nearest-neighbor valence-bond states on the kagome lattice. Cases include ``generalized Klein'' models without obvious non-valence-bond ground states, as well as a ``resonating valence-bond'' Hamiltonian whose unique ground states within the nearest-neighbor valence-bond space are four topologically degenerate ``Sutherland-Rokhsar-Kivelson'' (SRK) -type wave functions, which are expected to describe a gapped Z2{\mathbb{Z}}_{2}Z2​ spin liquid. The proof of this uniqueness is intimately related to the linear independence of the nearest-neighbor valence-bond states on quite general and arbitrarily large kagome lattices, which is also established in this work. It is argued that the SRK ground states are also unique within the entire Hilbert space depending on properties of the generalized Klein models. Applications of the strategies developed in this work to other lattice types are also discussed.