The scaling function for the spin correlation length \ensuremath{\xi} of the two-dimensional (2D) quantum nonlinear \ensuremath{\sigma} model is obtained by Monte Carlo simulations. This is used to extract the temperature dependence of the spin correlation length, which sheds light on the nature of the ground state of low-dimensional quantum antiferromagnets. A crossover from quantum critical to renormalized classical behavior of the correlation length is found. Comparison is made with numerical results on the 2D square lattice Heisenberg model, as well as with neutron-scattering and nuclear magnetic relaxation experiments.
We study scaling behavior in two-dimensional, square lattice, S=1/2 and S=1 Heisenberg antiferromagnets using the data on full q dependences of the equal-time structure factor and the static susceptibility, calculated through high-temperature series expansions. We also carry out comparisons with a model of two coupled S=1/2 Heisenberg planes with the interlayer exchange coupling tuned to the T=0 critical point (two-plane model hereafter). For both S=1/2 and S=1 models, we separately determine the spin-wave velocity c and mass m=c/\ensuremath{\xi}, in addition to the correlation length, \ensuremath{\xi}, and find that c is temperature dependent; only for temperatures below T\ensuremath{\lesssim}JS, where J is the exchange coupling, c approaches its known T=0 values,
c0. This nonuniversal lattice effect is caused by the quantum nature of spin, and is therefore not captured by the quantum nonlinear \ensuremath{\sigma} model.Despite this temperature dependence of the spin-wave velocity, full q and \ensuremath{\omega} dependences of the dynamical susceptibility \ensuremath{\chi}(q,\ensuremath{\omega}) agree with those of the universal scaling function, computable for the \ensuremath{\sigma} model, for temperatures up to
T0\ensuremath{\sim}0.6
c0/a, and their further analysis leads us to the inference that below
T0 the S=1 model is in the renormalized classical (RC) regime, the two-plane model is in the quantum critical (QC) regime in agreement with earlier work, and the S=1/2 model exhibits a RC-QC crossover, centered around crossover and for the two-plane model at all T=0.55J. In particular, for the S=1/2 model above the RC-QC temperatures where calculated, the obtained spin-wave mass m=c/\ensuremath{\xi} is in excellent agreement with the known universal QC prediction, m\ensuremath{\simeq}1.04T. In contrast, for the S=1/2 model below the RC-QC crossover, and for the S=1 model at all temperatures, the behavior agrees with the exact RC expression. for all three models, nonuniversal behavior occurs above T\ensuremath{\sim}0.6
c0/a. Our results strongly support the conjecture by Chubukov and Sachdev that the S=1/2 model is close enough to the T=0 critical point to exhibit QC behavior at intermediate temperatures.
The low-temperature behavior of quantum Heisenberg models can be obtained by combining a renormalization-group analysis of the quantum models with a Monte Carlo simulation of the corresponding classical model, where the ``spins'' are represented by unit vectors defined on a lattice. In this approach renormalization-group equations for the quantum models lead to an effective classical O(3) nonlinear \ensuremath{\sigma} model in appropriate regimes of the parameter space. In the present work we apply this technique, which was recently used by Chakravarty, Halperin, and Nelson to discuss the low-temperature behavior of quantum antiferromagnets, to ferromagnets and calculate the correlation length and the susceptibility of a two-dimensional quantum ferromagnet at low temperatures. The results obtained with this method are then compared with those obtained from a direct simulation of the spin S=1/2 quantum ferromagnet. Excellent agreement between the two approaches leads us to believe that the analytic expressions obtained in the renormalization-group method are accurate at low temperatures. This strengthens the validity of the procedure adopted for antiferromagnets as well, where no such simulation results are yet known. The present paper also further substantiates recent work on the properties of solid
3He in two dimensions.
We derive a lattice $\ensuremath{\beta}$ function for the two-dimensional antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model, which allows the lattice interaction couplings of the nonperturbative quantum Monte Carlo vacuum to be related directly to the zero-temperature fixed points of the nonlinear sigma model in the presence of strong interplanar and spin anisotropies. In addition to the usual renormalization of the gapful disordered state in the vicinity of the quantum critical point, we show that this leads to a chiral doubling of the spectra of excited states.
We study the continuum limit of the quantum nonlinear \ensuremath{\sigma} model in 2+1 dimensions and at finite temperature T using both Monte Carlo simulation on large-size lattices (
1002\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}8 is our largest-size lattice) and saddle-point approximation. At zero temperature, we find the critical point
gc that separates the quantum disordered phase from the phase with spontaneous symmetry breaking (nonzero staggered magnetization). We calculate the model's renormalization group \ensuremath{\beta} function close to the critical point. Using the \ensuremath{\beta} function, we rescale the correlation lengths calculated at various values of the coupling constant (spin stiffness) and temperature and find that they all collapse on the same curve \ensuremath{\xi}/${a}_{\ensuremath{\sigma}}$=f(T/${T}_{\ensuremath{\sigma}}$). Even though the lattice spacing vanishes, a finite unit of length ${a}_{\ensuremath{\sigma}}$ and a temperature scale ${T}_{\ensuremath{\sigma}}$ is generated via dimensional transmutation. Assuming that the nonlinear \ensuremath{\sigma} model and the spin-(1/2 antiferromagnetic (AF) Heisenberg model are equivalent at low temperature, we relate the units ${a}_{\ensuremath{\sigma}}$ and ${T}_{\ensuremath{\sigma}}$ to the lattice spacing
aH and the AF coupling J of the Heisenberg model so that the correlation lengths obtained from the simulation of the two models agree. In order to achieve this agreement we find that (a) the spin-(1/2 AF Heisenberg model should order at T=0 and (b) the relationship between the scales ${a}_{\ensuremath{\sigma}}$,${T}_{\ensuremath{\sigma}}$ and
aH, J is obtained, and f(T/${T}_{\ensuremath{\sigma}}$) can be accurately approximated by an exponential of ${T}_{\ensuremath{\sigma}}$/T below
gc. We obtain a reasonable fit to the neutron scattering data of the insulator
La2CuO4 by taking J=1270 K, a value close to that reported by Raman scattering experiments.
We investigate two-dimensional spin models and begin with an introduction to critical phenomena with emphasis on classical systems with boundaries and conformal invariance. Then we introduce the antiferromagnetic quantum Heisenberg model with frustrating interactions. Conformal invariance of a statistical mechanical system at criticality has powerful implications in two dimensions. With the use of conformal field theory, we investigate finite-size and boundary effects for a class of N-critical models that describe the simplest type of multicritical behaviour. In Papers I and II, correlation functions for the order parameter and other operators of these multicritical Ising models are derived for restricted domains (semi-infinite plane, infinite strip, disc and rectangle) with free or fixed boundary conditions. These yield the corresponding universal surface exponents and allow for a detailed analysis of correlations lengths, structure factors and response functions. The interplay between duality and boundary conditions is also made explicit. In Paper III, we analyse structure factors at criticality and show how apparent power- law scaling at intermediate momenta - induced by finite size and boundaries - depends on the boundary conditions applied. The predictions are confirmed by using correlation functions calculated in Papers I and II. Two-dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnets have attracted much attention because of their relation to high-Tc superconductors. The second part of the thesis (Papers IV and V) treats spin-1/2 antiferromagnets defined on square- and honeycomb lattices with frustrating interactions. By using a Schwinger-boson mean-field theory, we calculate low-temperature quantum corrections to thermodynamic parameters, such as spin-wave velocity and transverse susceptibility. Their dependence on frustration is explicated and used to estimate the stability of the Néel state via a mapping to the nonlinear .sigma. model that describes the low-energy limit of the antiferromagnet.