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arXiv:1310.0370

Some Effective Results on the Invariant Theory of Tensor Networks

Jacob Turner, Jason Morton

Published Oct 1, 2013• 1 citation
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

In several applications including computational complexity and condensed matter physics, regular tensor networks arise in which vertex tensors and edge vector spaces are repeated. These have many internal edges, each with a label $i\in\{1,\dots,n\}$ and corresponding to an $t_i$-dimensional complex vector space. We have a local adjoint action on the vertex tensors by $G_{\textbf{t}}= \times_{i=1}^n{GL(t_i,\mathbb{C})}$ which amounts to a change of basis on each internal edge. Such networks are overparameterized in the sense that this action does not change the tensor represented by the entire network, although it may change the tensor associated to a given vertex. When $G_{\textbf{t}}$ acts nontrivially only on wires which are internal (perhaps after connecting copies of a network with dangling wires), the value of the network is of course a $G_{\textbf{t}}$ invariant. We explain how to use some tools from invariant theory to work modulo such an internal local $GL$ symmetry and apply them to a problem in complexity theory.

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In several applications including computational complexity and condensed matter physics, regular tensor networks arise in which vertex tensors and edge vector spaces are repeated. These have many internal edges, each with a label i∈{1,…,n}i\in\{1,\dots,n\}i∈{1,…,n} and corresponding to an tit_iti​-dimensional complex vector space. We have a local adjoint action on the vertex tensors by Gt=×i=1nGL(ti,C)G_{\textbf{t}}= \times_{i=1}^n{GL(t_i,\mathbb{C})}Gt​=×i=1n​GL(ti​,C) which amounts to a change of basis on each internal edge. Such networks are overparameterized in the sense that this action does not change the tensor represented by the entire network, although it may change the tensor associated to a given vertex. When GtG_{\textbf{t}}Gt​ acts nontrivially only on wires which are internal (perhaps after connecting copies of a network with dangling wires), the value of the network is of course a GtG_{\textbf{t}}Gt​ invariant. We explain how to use some tools from invariant theory to work modulo such an internal local GLGLGL symmetry and apply them to a problem in complexity theory.
Invariant theory is concerned with functions that do not change under the action of a given group. Here we communicate an approach based on tensor networks to represent polynomial local unitary invariants of quantum states. This graphical approach provides an alternative to the polynomial equations that describe invariants, which often contain a large number of terms with coefficients raised to high powers. This approach also enables one to use known methods from tensor network theory (such as the matrix product state (MPS) factorization) when studying polynomial invariants. As our main example, we consider invariants of MPSs. We generate a family of tensor contractions resulting in a complete set of local unitary invariants that can be used to express the Rényi entropies. We find that the graphical approach to representing invariants can provide structural insight into the invariants being contracted, as well as an alternative, and sometimes much simpler, means to study polynomial invariants of quantum states. In addition, many tensor network methods, such as MPSs, contain excellent tools that can be applied in the study of invariants.
Tensor networks provide succinct representations of quantum many-body states and are an important computational tool for strongly correlated quantum systems. Their expressive and computational power is characterized by an underlying entanglement structure, on a lattice or more generally a (hyper)graph, with virtual entangled pairs or multipartite entangled states associated to (hyper)edges. Changing this underlying entanglement structure into another can lead to both theoretical and computational benefits. We study a natural resource theory which generalizes the notion of bond dimension to entanglement structures using multipartite entanglement. It is a direct extension of resource theories of tensors studied in the context of multipartite entanglement and algebraic complexity theory, allowing for the application of the sophisticated methods developed in these fields to tensor networks. The resource theory of tensor networks concerns both the local entanglement structure of a quantum many-body state and the (algebraic) complexity of tensor network contractions using this entanglement structure. We show that there are transformations between entanglement structures which go beyond edge-by-edge conversions, highlighting efficiency gains of our resource theory that mirror those obtained in the search for better matrix multiplication algorithms. We also provide obstructions to the existence of such transformations by extending a variety of methods originally developed in algebraic complexity theory for obtaining complexity lower bounds. The resource theory of tensor networks allows to compare different entanglement structures and should lead to more efficient tensor network representations and contraction algorithms.
The benefits of exploiting the presence of symmetries in tensor network algorithms have been extensively demonstrated in the context of matrix product states (MPSs). These include the ability to select a specific symmetry sector (e.g., with a given particle number or spin), to ensure the exact preservation of total charge, and to significantly reduce computational costs. Compared to the case of a generic tensor network, the practical implementation of symmetries in the MPS is simplified by the fact that tensors only have three indices (they are trivalent, just as the Clebsch-Gordan coefficients of the symmetry group) and are organized as a one-dimensional array of tensors, without closed loops. Instead, a more complex tensor network, one where tensors have a larger number of indices and/or a more elaborate network structure, requires a more general treatment. In two recent papers, namely, (i) [Singh, Pfeifer, and Vidal, Phys. Rev. A 82, 050301 (2010)] and (ii) [Singh, Pfeifer, and Vidal, Phys. Rev. B 83, 115125 (2011)], we described how to incorporate a global internal symmetry into a generic tensor network algorithm based on decomposing and manipulating tensors that are invariant under the symmetry. In (i) we considered a generic symmetry group G\mathcal{G}G that is compact, completely reducible, and multiplicity free, acting as a global internal symmetry. Then, in (ii) we described the implementation of Abelian group symmetries in much more detail, considering a U(1) symmetry (e.g., conservation of global particle number) as a concrete example. In this paper, we describe the implementation of non-Abelian group symmetries in great detail. For concreteness, we consider an SU(2) symmetry (e.g., conservation of global quantum spin). Our formalism can be readily extended to more exotic symmetries associated with conservation of total fermionic or anyonic charge. As a practical demonstration, we describe the SU(2)-invariant version of the multiscale entanglement renormalization ansatz and apply it to study the low-energy spectrum of a quantum spin chain with a global SU(2) symmetry.
Tensor network decompositions offer an efficient description of certain many-body states of a lattice system and are the basis of a wealth of numerical simulation algorithms. In a recent paper [Phys. Rev. A 82, 050301 (2010)] we discussed how to incorporate a global internal symmetry, given by a compact, completely reducible group G\mathcal{G}G, into tensor network decompositions and algorithms. Here we specialize to the case of Abelian groups and, for concreteness, to a U(1) symmetry, associated, e.g., with particle number conservation. We consider tensor networks made of tensors that are invariant (or covariant) under the symmetry, and explain how to decompose and manipulate such tensors in order to exploit their symmetry. In numerical calculations, the use of U(1)-symmetric tensors allows selection of a specific number of particles, ensures the exact preservation of particle number, and significantly reduces computational costs. We illustrate all these points in the context of the multiscale entanglement renormalization Ansatz.
Strongly correlated systems exhibit phenomena -- such as high-T_c superconductivity or the fractional quantum Hall effect -- that are not explicable by classical and semi-classical methods. Moreover, due to the exponential scaling of the associated Hilbert space, solving the proposed model Hamiltonians by brute-force numerical methods is bound to fail. Thus, it is important to develop novel numerical and analytical methods that can explain the physics in this regime. Tensor Network states are quantum many-body states that help to overcome some of these difficulties by defining a family of states that depend only on a small number of parameters. Their use is twofold: they are used as variational ansatzes in numerical algorithms as well as providing a framework to represent a large class of exactly solvable models that are believed to represent all possible phases of matter. The present thesis investigates mathematical properties of these states thus deepening the understanding of how and why Tensor Networks are suitable for the description of quantum many-body systems. It is believed that tensor networks can represent ground states of local Hamiltonians, but how good is this representation? This question is of fundamental importance as variational algorithms based on tensor networks can only perform well if any ground state can be approximated efficiently in such a way. While any state can be written as a tensor network state, the number of parameters needed for the description might be too large. This is not the case for one-dimensional systems: only a few parameters are required to have a good approximation of their ground states; that, in turn, allows for numerical algorithms based on tensor networks performing well. The situation in two dimensions is somewhat more complicated, but it is known that ground states of local Hamiltonians can be expressed as tensor networks with sub-exponentially many parameters. In the present thesis, we improve on these existing bounds strengthening the claim that the language of tensor networks is suitable to describe many-body systems. Another central question is how symmetries of the system such as translational invariance, time-reversal symmetry or local unitary symmetry can be reflected in tensor networks. This question is important as systems appearing in nature might intrinsically possess certain symmetries; on one hand, understanding these symmetries simplifies the description of these systems. On the other hand, the presence of symmetries leads to the appearance of novel phases -- symmetry-protected topological (SPT) order, -- and tensor networks provide the right language to classify these phases. In one dimension and for certain classes of two-dimensional tensor networks (states generated by so-called injective tensors) it is well understood how symmetries of the state can be described. A general framework, however, has yet to be developed. In the present thesis, we contribute to the development of the theory in two ways. We first investigate the question for injective tensors, and generalize the existing proof for any geometry including the hyperbolic geometry used in the AdS/CFT correspondence. Second, we introduce a class of tensor network states that include previously known examples of states exhibiting SPT order. We show how symmetries are reflected in these states thus deepening the understanding of SPT order in two dimensions.
Renormalization group theory of tensor network states provides a powerful tool for studying quantum many-body problems and a new paradigm for understanding entangled structures of complex systems. In recent decades the theory has rapidly evolved into a universal framework and language employed by researchers in fields ranging from condensed matter theory to machine learning. This book presents a pedagogical and comprehensive introduction to this field for the first time. After an introductory survey on the major advances in tensor network algorithms and their applications, it introduces step-by-step the tensor network representations of quantum states and the tensor-network renormalization group methods developed over the past three decades. Basic statistical and condensed matter physics models are used to demonstrate how the tensor network renormalization works. An accessible primer for scientists and engineers, this book would also be ideal as a reference text for a graduate course in this area.