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:2512.06322 · Physical review. B./Physical review. B

Kitaev meets Affleck-Kennedy-Lieb-Tasaki: Competing quantum disorder in spin-3/2 honeycomb systems

Sogen Ikegami, Kiyu Fukui, Rico Pohle, Yukitoshi Motome

Published Mar 16, 2026• 1 citation
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We investigate an S=3/2 quantum spin model on a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice that continuously interpolates between two paradigmatic quantum disordered states with distinct entanglement structures: the Kitaev quantum spin liquid and the Affleck-Kennedy-Lieb-Tasaki (AKLT) valence bond solid. Combining classical, semi-classical, and exact diagonalization approaches, we map out the ground-state phase diagram and elucidate the role of quantum fluctuations across the entire parameter range. While classical and semi-classical frameworks predict noncoplanar orders competing with a collinear Néel state, we find these phases to be fragile: once full quantum fluctuations are included, they melt into a quantum-entangled state characterized by suppressed spin correlations and enhanced entanglement entropy. Our findings highlight how competition between qualitatively different quantum disordered phases provides a fertile playground for unconventional phases emerging from their interplay and quantum fluctuations.

DOI
10.1103/k9dl-fd7z

Related papers

Affleck-Kennedy-Lieb-Tasaki State on a Honeycomb Lattice from t2g Orbitals

Maciej Koch-Janusz, Daniel I. Khomskii, Eran Sela

The two-dimensional Affleck-Kennedy-Lieb-Tasaki (AKLT) model on a honeycomb lattice has been shown to be a universal resource for quantum computation. In this valence bond solid, however, the spin interactions involve higher powers of the Heisenberg coupling (S[over →](I)·S[over →](j))(n), making these states seemingly unrealistic on bipartite lattices, where one expects a simple antiferromagnetic order. We show that those interactions can be generated by orbital physics in multiorbital Mott insulators. We focus on t(2g) electrons on the honeycomb lattice and propose a physical realization of the spin-3/2 AKLT state. We find a phase transition from the AKLT to the Néel state on increasing Hund's rule coupling, which is confirmed by density matrix renormalization group simulations. An experimental signature of the AKLT state consists of protected, free S=1/2 spins on lattice vacancies, which may be detected in the spin susceptibility.

arXiv:1501.03512•Physical Review Letters•Jun 18, 2015•22 citations

Phase diagram and spin correlations of the Kitaev-Heisenberg model: Importance of quantum effects

Dorota Gotfryd, Juraj Rusnačko, Krzysztof Wohlfeld +3 more

We explore the phase diagram of the Kitaev-Heisenberg model with nearest neighbor interactions on the honeycomb lattice using the exact diagonalization of finite systems combined with the cluster mean field approximation, and supplemented by the insights from analytic approaches: the linear spin-wave and second-order perturbation theories. This study confirms that by varying the balance between the Heisenberg and Kitaev term, frustrated exchange interactions stabilize in this model either one of four phases with magnetic long range order: N\'eel phase, ferromagnetic phase, and two other phases with coexisting antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic bonds, zigzag and stripy phase, or one of two distinct spin-liquid phases. Out of these latter disordered phases, the one with ferromagnetic Kitaev interactions has a substantially broader range of stability as the neighboring competing ordered phases, ferromagnetic and stripy, have very weak quantum fluctuations. Focusing on the quantum spin-liquid phases, we study spatial spin correlations and dynamic spin structure factor of the model by the exact diagonalization technique, and discuss the evolution of gapped low-energy spin response across the quantum phase transitions between the disordered spin liquid and phases with long range magnetic order.

arXiv:1608.05333•Physical review. B./Physical review. B•Jan 23, 2017•75 citations

Entanglement properties of the two-dimensional SU(3) Affleck-Kennedy-Lieb-Tasaki state

Olivier Gauthé, Didier Poilblanc

Two-dimensional (spin-2) Affleck-Kennedy-Lieb-Tasaki (AKLT) type valence bond solids on a square lattice are known to be symmetry-protected topological (SPT) gapped spin liquids [S. Takayoshi, P. Pujol, and A. Tanaka Phys. Rev. B 94, 235159 (2016)]. Using the projected entangled pair state framework, we extend the construction of the AKLT state to the case of $\text{SU}(3)$, relevant for cold atom systems. The entanglement spectrum is shown to be described by an alternating $\text{SU}(3)$ chain of ``quarks'' and ``antiquarks'', subject to exponentially decaying (with distance) Heisenberg interactions, in close similarity with its $\text{SU}(2)$ analog. We discuss the SPT feature of the state.

arXiv:1708.00848•Physical review. B./Physical review. B•Sep 25, 2017•7 citations

Quantum phase transition between spin liquid and spin nematics in spin-1 Kitaev honeycomb model

Tohru Mashiko, Tsuyoshi Okubo

Besides the exactly solvable spin-1/2 Kitaev model, higher spin- S ones, not exactly solvable, are promising playgrounds for researches on the quantum spin liquid as well. One of the main interests in higher spin- S cases is the interplay between the Kitaev spin liquid (KSL) and spin nematics. We probe this interplay in a spin-1 model on the honeycomb lattice with competing bilinear-biquadratic and Kitaev interactions. Utilizing the 2D infinite projected entangled-pair state (iPEPS), we map out the phase diagram for the ferro-biquadratic interaction. In the phase diagram, we discover the direct phase transitions between the KSL phases and ferro-quadrupolar ordered spin nematic phase, which we call the FQ phase. It has been revealed that the ferro KSL exhibits robustness against perturbations from ferro-quadrupolar interactions. Also, the FQ phase is extended to the parameter region near the antiferro-Kitaev limit. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

arXiv:2403.11490•Physical Review Research•Jul 26, 2024•9 citations

Observation of valence bond fluctuations in the spin-1/2 honeycomb lattice

Christian Wessler, B. Roessli, Karl W. Krämer +6 more

Quantum spin liquids are materials that feature quantum entangled spin correlations and avoid magnetic long-range order at T = 0 K. Particularly interesting are two-dimensional honeycomb spin lattices where a plethora of exotic quantum spin liquids have been predicted. Here, we experimentally study an effective S=1/2 Heisenberg honeycomb lattice with competing nearest and next-nearest neighbor interactions. We demonstrate that YbBr$_3$ avoids order down to at least T=100 mK and features a dynamic spin-spin correlation function with broad continuum scattering typical of quantum spin liquids near a quantum critical point. The continuum in the spin spectrum is consistent with plaquette type fluctuations predicted by theory. Our study is the experimental demonstration that strong quantum fluctuations can exist on the honeycomb lattice even in the absence of Kitaev-type interactions, and opens a new perspective on quantum spin liquids.

•Mar 5, 2020•0 citations

Quantum computational universality of Affleck-Kennedy-Lieb-Tasaki states beyond the honeycomb lattice

Tzu-Chieh Wei

Universal quantum computation can be achieved by simply performing single-spin measurements on a highly entangled resource state, such as cluster states. The family of Affleck-Kennedy-Lieb-Tasaki (AKLT) states has recently been explored; for example, the spin-1 AKLT chain can be used to simulate single-qubit gate operations on a single qubit, and the spin-3/2 two-dimensional AKLT state on the honeycomb lattice can be used as a universal resource. However, it is unclear whether such universality is a coincidence for the specific state or a shared feature in all two-dimensional AKLT states. Here we consider the family of spin-3/2 AKLT states on various trivalent Archimedean lattices and show that in addition to the honeycomb lattice, the spin-3/2 AKLT states on the square octagon $(4,{8}^{2})$ and the ``cross'' $(4,6,12)$ lattices are also universal resource, whereas the AKLT state on the ``star'' $(3,{12}^{2})$ lattice is likely not due to geometric frustration.

Bulletin of the American Physical Society•Mar 3, 2014•0 citations
We investigate an S=3/2 quantum spin model on a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice that continuously interpolates between two paradigmatic quantum disordered states with distinct entanglement structures: the Kitaev quantum spin liquid and the Affleck-Kennedy-Lieb-Tasaki (AKLT) valence bond solid. Combining classical, semi-classical, and exact diagonalization approaches, we map out the ground-state phase diagram and elucidate the role of quantum fluctuations across the entire parameter range. While classical and semi-classical frameworks predict noncoplanar orders competing with a collinear Néel state, we find these phases to be fragile: once full quantum fluctuations are included, they melt into a quantum-entangled state characterized by suppressed spin correlations and enhanced entanglement entropy. Our findings highlight how competition between qualitatively different quantum disordered phases provides a fertile playground for unconventional phases emerging from their interplay and quantum fluctuations.
The two-dimensional Affleck-Kennedy-Lieb-Tasaki (AKLT) model on a honeycomb lattice has been shown to be a universal resource for quantum computation. In this valence bond solid, however, the spin interactions involve higher powers of the Heisenberg coupling (S[over →](I)·S[over →](j))(n), making these states seemingly unrealistic on bipartite lattices, where one expects a simple antiferromagnetic order. We show that those interactions can be generated by orbital physics in multiorbital Mott insulators. We focus on t(2g) electrons on the honeycomb lattice and propose a physical realization of the spin-3/2 AKLT state. We find a phase transition from the AKLT to the Néel state on increasing Hund's rule coupling, which is confirmed by density matrix renormalization group simulations. An experimental signature of the AKLT state consists of protected, free S=1/2 spins on lattice vacancies, which may be detected in the spin susceptibility.
We explore the phase diagram of the Kitaev-Heisenberg model with nearest neighbor interactions on the honeycomb lattice using the exact diagonalization of finite systems combined with the cluster mean field approximation, and supplemented by the insights from analytic approaches: the linear spin-wave and second-order perturbation theories. This study confirms that by varying the balance between the Heisenberg and Kitaev term, frustrated exchange interactions stabilize in this model either one of four phases with magnetic long range order: N\'eel phase, ferromagnetic phase, and two other phases with coexisting antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic bonds, zigzag and stripy phase, or one of two distinct spin-liquid phases. Out of these latter disordered phases, the one with ferromagnetic Kitaev interactions has a substantially broader range of stability as the neighboring competing ordered phases, ferromagnetic and stripy, have very weak quantum fluctuations. Focusing on the quantum spin-liquid phases, we study spatial spin correlations and dynamic spin structure factor of the model by the exact diagonalization technique, and discuss the evolution of gapped low-energy spin response across the quantum phase transitions between the disordered spin liquid and phases with long range magnetic order.
Two-dimensional (spin-2) Affleck-Kennedy-Lieb-Tasaki (AKLT) type valence bond solids on a square lattice are known to be symmetry-protected topological (SPT) gapped spin liquids [S. Takayoshi, P. Pujol, and A. Tanaka Phys. Rev. B 94, 235159 (2016)]. Using the projected entangled pair state framework, we extend the construction of the AKLT state to the case of SU(3)\text{SU}(3)SU(3), relevant for cold atom systems. The entanglement spectrum is shown to be described by an alternating SU(3)\text{SU}(3)SU(3) chain of ``quarks'' and ``antiquarks'', subject to exponentially decaying (with distance) Heisenberg interactions, in close similarity with its SU(2)\text{SU}(2)SU(2) analog. We discuss the SPT feature of the state.
Besides the exactly solvable spin-1/2 Kitaev model, higher spin- S ones, not exactly solvable, are promising playgrounds for researches on the quantum spin liquid as well. One of the main interests in higher spin- S cases is the interplay between the Kitaev spin liquid (KSL) and spin nematics. We probe this interplay in a spin-1 model on the honeycomb lattice with competing bilinear-biquadratic and Kitaev interactions. Utilizing the 2D infinite projected entangled-pair state (iPEPS), we map out the phase diagram for the ferro-biquadratic interaction. In the phase diagram, we discover the direct phase transitions between the KSL phases and ferro-quadrupolar ordered spin nematic phase, which we call the FQ phase. It has been revealed that the ferro KSL exhibits robustness against perturbations from ferro-quadrupolar interactions. Also, the FQ phase is extended to the parameter region near the antiferro-Kitaev limit. Published by the American Physical Society 2024
Quantum spin liquids are materials that feature quantum entangled spin correlations and avoid magnetic long-range order at T = 0 K. Particularly interesting are two-dimensional honeycomb spin lattices where a plethora of exotic quantum spin liquids have been predicted. Here, we experimentally study an effective S=1/2 Heisenberg honeycomb lattice with competing nearest and next-nearest neighbor interactions. We demonstrate that YbBr3_33​ avoids order down to at least T=100 mK and features a dynamic spin-spin correlation function with broad continuum scattering typical of quantum spin liquids near a quantum critical point. The continuum in the spin spectrum is consistent with plaquette type fluctuations predicted by theory. Our study is the experimental demonstration that strong quantum fluctuations can exist on the honeycomb lattice even in the absence of Kitaev-type interactions, and opens a new perspective on quantum spin liquids.
Universal quantum computation can be achieved by simply performing single-spin measurements on a highly entangled resource state, such as cluster states. The family of Affleck-Kennedy-Lieb-Tasaki (AKLT) states has recently been explored; for example, the spin-1 AKLT chain can be used to simulate single-qubit gate operations on a single qubit, and the spin-3/2 two-dimensional AKLT state on the honeycomb lattice can be used as a universal resource. However, it is unclear whether such universality is a coincidence for the specific state or a shared feature in all two-dimensional AKLT states. Here we consider the family of spin-3/2 AKLT states on various trivalent Archimedean lattices and show that in addition to the honeycomb lattice, the spin-3/2 AKLT states on the square octagon (4,82)(4,{8}^{2})(4,82) and the ``cross'' (4,6,12)(4,6,12)(4,6,12) lattices are also universal resource, whereas the AKLT state on the ``star'' (3,122)(3,{12}^{2})(3,122) lattice is likely not due to geometric frustration.