Based on large-scale quantum Monte Carlo simulations, we examine the correlations along the edges of two-dimensional semi-infinite quantum critical Heisenberg spin-

1/2

systems. In particular, we consider coupled quantum spin-dimer systems at their bulk quantum critical points, including the columnar-dimer model and the plaquette-square lattice. The alignment of the edge spins strongly affects these correlations and the corresponding scaling exponents, with remarkably similar values obtained for various quantum spin-dimer systems. We furthermore observe subtle effects on the scaling behavior from perturbing the edge spins that exhibit the genuine quantum nature of these edge states. Our observations furthermore challenge recent attempts that relate the edge spin criticality to the presence of symmetry-protected topological phases in such quantum spin systems.

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Nonordinary edge criticality of two-dimensional quantum critical magnets

Lukas Weber, Francesco Parisen Toldin, Stefan Weßel

Based on large-scale quantum Monte Carlo simulations, we examine the correlations along the edges of two-dimensional semi-infinite quantum critical Heisenberg spin- $1/2$ systems. In particular, we consider coupled quantum spin-dimer systems at their bulk quantum critical points, including the columnar-dimer model and the plaquette-square lattice. The alignment of the edge spins strongly affects these correlations and the corresponding scaling exponents, with remarkably similar values obtained for various quantum spin-dimer systems. We furthermore observe subtle effects on the scaling behavior from perturbing the edge spins that exhibit the genuine quantum nature of these edge states. Our observations furthermore challenge recent attempts that relate the edge spin criticality to the presence of symmetry-protected topological phases in such quantum spin systems.Based on large-scale quantum Monte Carlo simulations, we examine the correlations along the edges of two-dimensional semi-infinite quantum critical Heisenberg spin-$1/2$ systems. In particular, we consider coupled quantum spin-dimer systems at their bulk quantum critical points, including the columnar-dimer model and the plaquette-square lattice. The alignment of the edge spins strongly affects these correlations and the corresponding scaling exponents, with remarkably similar values obtained for various quantum spin-dimer systems. We furthermore observe subtle effects on the scaling behavior from perturbing the edge spins that exhibit the genuine quantum nature of these edge states. Our observations furthermore challenge recent attempts that relate the edge spin criticality to the presence of symmetry-protected topological phases in such quantum spin systems.

arXiv:1804.06820Physical review. B./Physical review. BOct 19, 201857 citations

Nonordinary criticality at the edges of planar spin-1 Heisenberg antiferromagnets

Lukas Weber, Stefan Weßel

Dangling edge spins of dimerized two-dimensional spin-1 Heisenberg antiferromagnets are shown to exhibit nonordinary quantum critical correlations, akin to the scaling behavior observed in recently explored spin-1/2 systems. Based on large-scale quantum Monte Carlo simulations, we observe remarkable similarities between these two cases and examine the crossover to the fundamentally distinct behavior in the one-dimensional limit of strongly coupled edge spins. We complement our numerical analysis by a cluster mean-field theory that encompasses the qualitatively similar behavior for the spin-1 and the spin-1/2 cases and its dependence on the spatial edge spin configuration in a generic way.Dangling edge spins of dimerized two-dimensional spin-1 Heisenberg antiferromagnets are shown to exhibit nonordinary quantum critical correlations, akin to the scaling behavior observed in recently explored spin-1/2 systems. Based on large-scale quantum Monte Carlo simulations, we observe remarkable similarities between these two cases and examine the crossover to the fundamentally distinct behavior in the one-dimensional limit of strongly coupled edge spins. We complement our numerical analysis by a cluster mean-field theory that encompasses the qualitatively similar behavior for the spin-1 and the spin-1/2 cases and its dependence on the spatial edge spin configuration in a generic way.

arXiv:1906.07051Physical review. B./Physical review. BAug 26, 201948 citations

Gapless edge states and their stability in two-dimensional quantum magnets

Takafumi Suzuki, Masahiro Sato

We study the nature of edge states in extrinsically and spontaneously dimerized states of two-dimensional spin- $\frac{1}{2}$ antiferromagnets, by performing quantum Monte Carlo simulation. We show that a gapless edge mode emerges in the wide region of the dimerized phases, and the critical exponent of spin correlators along the edge deviates from the value of Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid (TLL) universality in large but finite systems at low temperatures. We also demonstrate that the gapless nature at edges is stable against several perturbations such as external magnetic field, easy-plane XXZ anisotropy, Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction, and further-neighbor exchange interactions. The edge states exhibit non-TLL behavior, depending strongly on model parameters and kinds of perturbations. Possible ways of detecting these edge states are discussed. Properties of edge states we show in this paper could also be used as reference points to study other edge states of more exotic gapped magnetic phases such as spin liquids.We study the nature of edge states in extrinsically and spontaneously dimerized states of two-dimensional spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ antiferromagnets, by performing quantum Monte Carlo simulation. We show that a gapless edge mode emerges in the wide region of the dimerized phases, and the critical exponent of spin correlators along the edge deviates from the value of Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid (TLL) universality in large but finite systems at low temperatures. We also demonstrate that the gapless nature at edges is stable against several perturbations such as external magnetic field, easy-plane XXZ anisotropy, Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction, and further-neighbor exchange interactions. The edge states exhibit non-TLL behavior, depending strongly on model parameters and kinds of perturbations. Possible ways of detecting these edge states are discussed. Properties of edge states we show in this paper could also be used as reference points to study other edge states of more exotic gapped magnetic phases such as spin liquids.

arXiv:1209.3097Physical Review BDec 14, 201211 citations

Spin versus bond correlations along dangling edges of quantum critical magnets

Lukas Weber, Stefan Weßel

Dangling edge spins of two-dimensional quantum critical antiferromagnets display strongly enhanced spin correlations with scaling dimensions that fall outside of the classical theory of surface critical phenomena. We provide large-scale quantum Monte Carlo results for both spin-correlation and bond-correlation functions for the case of the columnar dimer model in particular. Unlike the spin correlations, we find the bond correlations to differ starkly between the spin-1/2 and spin-1 case. Furthermore, we compare the corresponding scaling dimensions to recent theoretical predictions. These predictions are, in part, supported by our numerical data, but cannot explain our findings completely. Our results thus put further constraints on completing the understanding of dangling edge correlations, as well as surface phenomena in strongly correlated quantum systems in general.Dangling edge spins of two-dimensional quantum critical antiferromagnets display strongly enhanced spin correlations with scaling dimensions that fall outside of the classical theory of surface critical phenomena. We provide large-scale quantum Monte Carlo results for both spin-correlation and bond-correlation functions for the case of the columnar dimer model in particular. Unlike the spin correlations, we find the bond correlations to differ starkly between the spin-1/2 and spin-1 case. Furthermore, we compare the corresponding scaling dimensions to recent theoretical predictions. These predictions are, in part, supported by our numerical data, but cannot explain our findings completely. Our results thus put further constraints on completing the understanding of dangling edge correlations, as well as surface phenomena in strongly correlated quantum systems in general.

arXiv:2010.15691Physical review. B./Physical review. BJan 13, 202117 citations

Persistent corner spin mode at the quantum critical point of a plaquette Heisenberg model

Yining Xu, Chen Peng, Zijian Xiong +1 more

Gapless edge states are the hallmark of a large class of topological states of matter. Recently, intensive research has been devoted to understanding the physical properties of the edge states at the quantum phase transitions of the bulk topological states. A higher-order symmetry-protected topological state is realized in a plaquette Heisenberg model on the square lattice. In its disordered phase, the lattice with an open boundary hosts either dangling corner states with spin- $1/2$ degeneracy characterizing the topological phase or nondangling corner states without degeneracy, which depends on the bond configuration near the corners. In this work, we study the critical behavior of these corner states at the quantum critical point (QCP) and find that the spin- $1/2$ corner state induces a new universality class of the corner critical behavior, which is distinct from the ordinary transition of the nondangling corners. In particular, we find that the dangling spin- $1/2$ corner state persists at the QCP despite its coupling to the critical spin fluctuations in the bulk. This shows the robustness of the corner state of the higher-order topological state.Gapless edge states are the hallmark of a large class of topological states of matter. Recently, intensive research has been devoted to understanding the physical properties of the edge states at the quantum phase transitions of the bulk topological states. A higher-order symmetry-protected topological state is realized in a plaquette Heisenberg model on the square lattice. In its disordered phase, the lattice with an open boundary hosts either dangling corner states with spin-$1/2$ degeneracy characterizing the topological phase or nondangling corner states without degeneracy, which depends on the bond configuration near the corners. In this work, we study the critical behavior of these corner states at the quantum critical point (QCP) and find that the spin-$1/2$ corner state induces a new universality class of the corner critical behavior, which is distinct from the ordinary transition of the nondangling corners. In particular, we find that the dangling spin-$1/2$ corner state persists at the QCP despite its coupling to the critical spin fluctuations in the bulk. This shows the robustness of the corner state of the higher-order topological state.

arXiv:2112.04616Physical review. B./Physical review. BDec 8, 20223 citations

Quantum phase transitions of 2-d dimerized spin-1/2 Heisenberg models with spatial anisotropy

Ming-Tso Kao, D.-R. Tan, Fu-Jiun Jiang

Motivated by the unexpected Monte Carlo results as well as the theoretical proposal of a large correction to scaling for the critical theory of the 2-d staggered-dimer spin-1/2 Heisenberg model on the square lattice, we study the phase transitions induced by dimerization of several dimerized quantum Heisenberg models with spatial anisotropy using first principles Monte Carlo method. Remarkably, while our Monte Carlo data for all the models considered here, including the herringbone- and ladder-dimer models on the square lattice, are compatible with the recently proposed scenario of an enhanced correction to scaling, we find it is likely that the enhanced correction to scaling manifests itself as amplification of the nonuniversal prefactors appeared in the scaling forms. In other words, our data are in consistence with the established numerical values for the critical exponents, including the confluent exponent, in the O(3) universality class. Convincing numerical evidence is provided to support this proposed scenario.Motivated by the unexpected Monte Carlo results as well as the theoretical proposal of a large correction to scaling for the critical theory of the 2-d staggered-dimer spin-1/2 Heisenberg model on the square lattice, we study the phase transitions induced by dimerization of several dimerized quantum Heisenberg models with spatial anisotropy using first principles Monte Carlo method. Remarkably, while our Monte Carlo data for all the models considered here, including the herringbone- and ladder-dimer models on the square lattice, are compatible with the recently proposed scenario of an enhanced correction to scaling, we find it is likely that the enhanced correction to scaling manifests itself as amplification of the nonuniversal prefactors appeared in the scaling forms. In other words, our data are in consistence with the established numerical values for the critical exponents, including the confluent exponent, in the O(3) universality class. Convincing numerical evidence is provided to support this proposed scenario.

arXiv:1202.1057Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyFeb 6, 20120 citations

Based on large-scale quantum Monte Carlo simulations, we examine the correlations along the edges of two-dimensional semi-infinite quantum critical Heisenberg spin-

1/2

Based on large-scale quantum Monte Carlo simulations, we examine the correlations along the edges of two-dimensional semi-infinite quantum critical Heisenberg spin-

1/2

We study the nature of edge states in extrinsically and spontaneously dimerized states of two-dimensional spin-

\frac{1}{2}

antiferromagnets, by performing quantum Monte Carlo simulation. We show that a gapless edge mode emerges in the wide region of the dimerized phases, and the critical exponent of spin correlators along the edge deviates from the value of Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid (TLL) universality in large but finite systems at low temperatures. We also demonstrate that the gapless nature at edges is stable against several perturbations such as external magnetic field, easy-plane XXZ anisotropy, Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction, and further-neighbor exchange interactions. The edge states exhibit non-TLL behavior, depending strongly on model parameters and kinds of perturbations. Possible ways of detecting these edge states are discussed. Properties of edge states we show in this paper could also be used as reference points to study other edge states of more exotic gapped magnetic phases such as spin liquids.

1/2

degeneracy characterizing the topological phase or nondangling corner states without degeneracy, which depends on the bond configuration near the corners. In this work, we study the critical behavior of these corner states at the quantum critical point (QCP) and find that the spin-

1/2

corner state induces a new universality class of the corner critical behavior, which is distinct from the ordinary transition of the nondangling corners. In particular, we find that the dangling spin-

1/2

corner state persists at the QCP despite its coupling to the critical spin fluctuations in the bulk. This shows the robustness of the corner state of the higher-order topological state.