We apply variational tensor-network methods for simulating the Kosterlitz-Thouless phase transition in the classical two-dimensional XY model. In particular, using uniform matrix product states (MPS) with non-Abelian O(2) symmetry, we compute the universal drop in the spin stiffness at the critical point. In the critical low-temperature regime, we focus on the MPS entanglement spectrum to characterize the Luttinger-liquid phase. In the high-temperature phase, we confirm the exponential divergence of the correlation length and estimate the critical temperature with high precision. Our MPS approach can be used to study generic two-dimensional phase transitions with continuous symmetries.
We study the universal real-time relaxation behaviors of a long-range Kitaev chain following a quench, and the results are compared to a short-range quantum XY chain. Our research includes both noncritical and critical quenches. In the case of noncritical quench, i.e., neither the initial state nor the postquench Hamiltonian is at a critical point of the equilibrium phase transition, a quench to the commensurate phase or incommensurate phase gives a scaling of ${t}^{\ensuremath{-}3/2}$ or ${t}^{\ensuremath{-}1/2}$, respectively, which is the same as the counterpart of the short-range quantum XY model. However, for a quench to the boundary line between the commensurate and incommensurate phases, the scaling law ${t}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\mu}}$ may be different from the ${t}^{\ensuremath{-}3/4}$ law of the counterpart of the short-range quantum XY model. More interestingly, the decaying exponent $\ensuremath{\mu}$ may depend on the choice of the parameters of the postquench Hamiltonian because of the different asymptotic behaviors of the energy spectrum. Furthermore, in certain cases, the scaling behavior may be outside the range of predictions made by the stationary phase approximation, because an inflection point emerges in the energy spectrum. For the critical quench, i.e., the initial state or the postquench Hamiltonian is at a critical point of equilibrium phase transition, the aforementioned scaling law ${t}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\mu}}$ may be changed because of the gap-closing property of the energy spectrum of the critical point.
We study the universal real-time relaxation behaviors of a long-range quantum XY chain following a quench. Our research includes both the noncritical and critical quench. In the case of noncritical quench, i.e., neither the initial state nor the postquench Hamiltonian is at a critical point of equilibrium phase transition, a quench to the commensurate phase or incommensurate phase gives a scaling of
t−3/2 or
t−1/2, respectively, which is the same as the counterpart of the short-range XY model. However, for a quench to the boundary line between the commensurate and incommensurate phases, the scaling law
t−μ may be different from the
t−3/4 law of the counterpart of the short-range model. More interestingly, the decaying exponent
μ may depend on the choice of the parameters of the postquench Hamiltonian because of the different asymptotic behaviors of the energy spectrum. Furthermore, in certain cases, the scaling behavior may be outside the range of predictions made by the stationary phase approximation, because an inflection point emerges in the energy spectrum. For the critical quench, i.e., the initial state or the postquench Hamiltonian is at a critical point of equilibrium phase transition, the aforementioned scaling law
t−μ may be changed because of the gap-closing property of the energy spectrum of the critical point.