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arXiv:2010.05402 · Journal of Physics Condensed Matter

Quantum Monte Carlo study of topological phases on a spin analogue of Benalcazar–Bernevig–Hughes model

Jiaojiao Guo, Junsong Sun, Xingchuan Zhu, Chang-An Li, Huaiming Guo, Shiping Feng

Published Oct 19, 2021• 10 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We study the higher-order topological spin phases based on a spin analogue of Benalcazar-Bernevig-Hughes model in two dimensions using large-scale quantum Monte Carlo simulations. A continuous Néel-valence bond solid quantum phase transition is revealed by tuning the ratio between dimerized spin couplings, namely, the weak and strong exchange couplings. Through the finite-size scaling analysis, we identify the phase critical points, and consequently, map out the full phase diagrams in related parameter spaces. Particularly, we find that the valence bond solid phase can be a higher-order topological spin phase, which has a gap for spin excitations in the bulk while demonstrates characteristic gapless spin modes at corners of open lattices. We further discuss the connection between the higher-order topological spin phases and the electronic correlated higher-order phases, and find both of them possess gapless spin corner modes that are protected by higher-order topology. Our result exemplifies higher-order physics in the correlated spin systems and will contribute to further understandings of the many-body higher-order topological phenomena.

DOI
10.1088/1361-648x/ac30b4

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We study the higher-order topological spin phases based on a spin analogue of Benalcazar-Bernevig-Hughes model in two dimensions using large-scale quantum Monte Carlo simulations. A continuous Néel-valence bond solid quantum phase transition is revealed by tuning the ratio between dimerized spin couplings, namely, the weak and strong exchange couplings. Through the finite-size scaling analysis, we identify the phase critical points, and consequently, map out the full phase diagrams in related parameter spaces. Particularly, we find that the valence bond solid phase can be a higher-order topological spin phase, which has a gap for spin excitations in the bulk while demonstrates characteristic gapless spin modes at corners of open lattices. We further discuss the connection between the higher-order topological spin phases and the electronic correlated higher-order phases, and find both of them possess gapless spin corner modes that are protected by higher-order topology. Our result exemplifies higher-order physics in the correlated spin systems and will contribute to further understandings of the many-body higher-order topological phenomena.
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We use quantum Monte Carlo simulations to study an S = 1/2 spin model with competing multi-spin interactions. We find a quantum phase transition between a columnar valence-bond solid (cVBS) and a Néel antiferromagnet (AFM), as in the scenario of deconfined quantum-critical points, as well as a transition between the AFM and a staggered valence-bond solid (sVBS). By continuously varying a parameter, the sVBS–AFM and AFM–cVBS boundaries merge into a direct sVBS–cVBS transition. Unlike previous models with putative deconfined AFM–cVBS transitions, e.g., the standard J–Q model, in our extended J–Q model with competing cVBS and sVBS inducing terms the transition can be tuned from continuous to first-order. We find the expected emergent U(1) symmetry of the microscopically Z 4 symmetric cVBS order parameter when the transition is continuous. In contrast, when the transition changes to first-order, the clock-like Z 4 fluctuations are absent and there is no emergent higher symmetry. We argue that the confined spinons in the sVBS phase are fracton-like. We also present results for an SU(3) symmetric model with a similar phase diagram. The new family of models can serve as a useful tool for further investigating open questions related to deconfined quantum criticality and its associated emergent symmetries.
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The interplay between competing interactions in low-dimensional quantum many-body systems gives rise to a wide variety of quantum phases and critical phenomena. Motivated by this scenario, we investigate the quantum phase diagram of the mixed-spin 1 2 , 1 antiferromagnetic Heisenberg chain with modulated single-ion anisotropy by means of the density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) method. The resulting phase diagram comprises four distinct quantum phases: three gapped phases, namely the 1 / 3 magnetization plateau, the trivial nonmagnetic (TnM) phase, and the topological valence-bond-solid (TVBS) phase, together with a gapless Luttinger liquid (LL) phase. The different phases are characterized through the analysis of magnetization, spin correlation functions, nonlocal order parameters, and entanglement-based observables. The TVBS phase is identified by the presence of exponentially localized edge states, finite values of the nonlocal string order parameter and twist operator, and the characteristic degeneracy pattern of the entanglement spectrum. The boundaries of the LL phase are determined from the transverse spin correlation function and the corresponding Luttinger parameter, revealing two Kosterlitz–Thouless transition lines characterized by the critical value K c = 2.0 , in agreement with finite-size scaling analyses of the spin gap. In addition, we identify a Gaussian critical line associated with the topological quantum phase transition separating the TVBS and TnM phases. By employing the tangential finite-size scaling approach, we accurately determine this critical line by extracting the correlation-length critical exponent ν and the conformal field theory central charge c . Our results demonstrate that the competition between exchange interactions and modulated single-ion anisotropy gives rise to a rich interplay between topology, quantum criticality, and magnetic ordering, highlighting the fundamental role of these interactions in determining the ground-state properties of low-dimensional quantum spin systems.