arXiv:1209.0115 · American Journal of Physics
An introduction to the spectrum, symmetries, and dynamics of spin-1/2 Heisenberg chains
Kira Joel, Davida Kollmar, Lea F. Santos
Abstract
Quantum spin chains are prototype quantum many-body systems that are employed in the description of various complex physical phenomena. We provide an introduction to this subject by focusing on the time evolution of a Heisenberg spin-1/2 chain and interpreting the results based on the analysis of the eigenvalues, eigenstates, and symmetries of the system. We make available online all computer codes used to obtain our data.