We explore a geometric approach to generating local
SU(2) and
SL(2,C) invariants for a collection of qubits inspired by lattice gauge theory. Each local invariant or ``gauge'' invariant is associated with a distinct closed path (or plaquette) joining some or all of the qubits. In lattice gauge theory, the lattice points are the discrete space-time points, the transformations between the points of the lattice are defined by parallel transporters, and the gauge invariant observable associated with a particular closed path is given by the Wilson loop. In our approach the points of the lattice are qubits, the link transformations between the qubits are defined by the correlations between them, and the gauge invariant observable, the local invariants associated with a particular closed path, are also given by a Wilson looplike construction. The link transformations share many of the properties of parallel transporters, although they are not undone when one retraces one's steps through the lattice. This feature is used to generate many of the invariants. We consider a pure three-qubit state as a test case and find we can generate a complete set of algebraically independent local invariants in this way; however, the framework given here is applicable to generating local unitary invariants for mixed states composed of any number of
d-level quantum systems. We give an operational interpretation of these invariants in terms of observables.
The authors consider a semi-infinite two-dimensional Ising model with nearest-neighbour couplings that deviate from the bulk critical couplings by Al -2 , where l is the distance from the surface. The surface critical exponents of this system are non-universal. Under a conformal mapping onto a strip of width L, the Al -1 inhomogeneity transforms into A((L/ pi )sin( pi L/L)) -1 . For the square lattice the spectrum of the transfer matrix in the strip geometry is calculated exactly in the extreme anisotropic limit. The analytical results and numerical results for the triangular lattice are compared with predictions of conformal invariance.
A closed-form expression is proposed for the critical frontier, or the critical line, of the antiferromagnetic Ising model on the honeycomb lattice in a nonzero external magnetic field. We formulate the Ising model as an 8-vertex model and identify the critical frontier as a locus invariant under a generalized weak-graph transformation. In its simplest form the locus is an expression containing two unknown constants which we determine numerically. The resulting critical frontier lies very close to results of a finite-size analysis.