Publications

Order by: publication date number of citations

• Renormalization group and effective potential: a simple non-perturbative approach

  Jose Gaite

  SciPost Phys. Core 5, 044 (2022) · published 26 September 2022 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We develop a simple non-perturbative approach to the calculation of a field theory effective potential that is based on the Wilson or exact renormalization group. Our approach follows Shepard et al's idea [Phys. Rev. D51, 7017 (1995)] of converting the exact renormalization group into a self-consistent renormalization method. It yields a simple second order differential equation for the effective potential. The equation can be solved and its solution is compared with other non-perturbative results and with results of perturbation theory. In three dimensions, we are led to study the sextic field theory ($\lambda\phi^4+g\phi^6$). We work out this theory at two-loop perturbative order and find the non-perturbative approach to be superior.

  3 citations

• Hamiltonian reconstruction as metric for variational studies

  Kevin Zhang, Samuel Lederer, Kenny Choo, Titus Neupert, Giuseppe Carleo, Eun-Ah Kim

  SciPost Phys. 13, 063 (2022) · published 23 September 2022 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  Variational approaches are among the most powerful techniques to approximately solve quantum many-body problems. These encompass both variational states based on tensor or neural networks, and parameterized quantum circuits in variational quantum eigensolvers. However, self-consistent evaluation of the quality of variational wavefunctions is a notoriously hard task. Using a recently developed Hamiltonian reconstruction method, we propose a multi-faceted approach to evaluating the quality of neural-network based wavefunctions. Specifically, we consider convolutional neural network (CNN) and restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM) states trained on a square lattice spin-1/2 J1-J2 Heisenberg model. We find that the reconstructed Hamiltonians are typically less frustrated, and have easy-axis anisotropy near the high frustration point. In addition, the reconstructed Hamiltonians suppress quantum fluctuations in the large J2 limit. Our results highlight the critical importance of the wavefunction's symmetry. Moreover, the multi-faceted insight from the Hamiltonian reconstruction reveals that a variational wave function can fail to capture the true ground state through suppression of quantum fluctuations.

  4 citations

• Topological to magnetically ordered quantum phase transition in antiferromagnetic spin ladders with long-range interactions

  Luhang Yang, Phillip Weinberg, Adrian E. Feiguin

  SciPost Phys. 13, 060 (2022) · published 21 September 2022 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We study a generalized quantum spin ladder with staggered long range interactions that decay as a power-law with exponent $\alpha$. Using large scale quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) and density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) simulations, we show that this model undergoes a transition from a rung-dimer phase characterized by a non-local string order parameter, to a symmetry broken N\'eel phase. We find evidence that the transition is second order. In the magnetically ordered phase, the spectrum exhibits gapless modes, while excitations in the gapped phase are well described in terms of triplons -- bound states of spinons across the legs. We obtain the momentum resolved spin dynamic structure factor numerically and find a well defined triplon band that evolves into a gapless magnon dispersion across the transition. We further discuss the possibility of deconfined criticality in this model.

  5 citations

• Quantum engineering of a synthetic thermal bath for bosonic atoms in a one-dimensional optical lattice via Markovian feedback control

  Ling-Na Wu, André Eckardt

  SciPost Phys. 13, 059 (2022) · published 21 September 2022 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We propose and investigate a scheme for engineering a synthetic thermal bath for a bosonic quantum gas in a one-dimensional optical lattice based on Markovian feedback control. The performance of our scheme is quantified by the fidelity between the steady state of the system and the effective thermal state. For double-well and triple-well systems with non-interacting particles, the steady state is found to be an exact thermal state, which is attributed to the fact that the transfer rates between all pairs of coupled eigenstates satisfy detailed balance condition. The scenario changes when there are more lattice sites, where the detailed balance condition does not hold any more, but remains an accurate approximation. Remarkably, our scheme performs very well at low and high temperature regimes, with the fidelity close to one. The performance at the intermediate temperature regime (where a crossover into a Bose condensed regime occurs) is slightly worse, and the fidelity shows a gentle decrease with increasing system size. We also discuss the interacting cases. In contrast to the non-interacting cases, the scheme is found to perform better at a higher temperature. Another difference is that the minimal temperature that can be engineered is nonzero and increases with the interaction strength.

  4 citations

• Quantum Field Theory Anomalies in Condensed Matter Physics

  R. Arouca, Andrea Cappelli, T. H. Hansson

  SciPost Phys. Lect. Notes 62 (2022) · published 8 September 2022 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We give a pedagogical introduction to quantum anomalies, how they are calculated using various methods, and why they are important in condensed matter theory. We discuss axial, chiral, and gravitational anomalies as well as global anomalies. We illustrate the theory with examples such as quantum Hall liquids, Fermi liquids, Weyl semi-metals, topological insulators and topological superconductors. The required background is basic knowledge of quantum field theory, including fermions and gauge fields, and some familiarity with path integral and functional methods. Some knowledge of topological phases of matter is helpful, but not necessary.

  21 citations

• Topological multiferroic order in twisted transition metal dichalcogenide bilayers

  Mikael Haavisto, J. L. Lado, Adolfo Otero Fumega

  SciPost Phys. 13, 052 (2022) · published 5 September 2022 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  Layered van der Waals materials have risen as powerful platforms to artificially engineer correlated states of matter. Here we show the emergence of a multiferroic order in a twisted dichalcogenide bilayer superlattice at quarter-filling. We show that the competition between Coulomb interactions leads to the simultaneous emergence of ferrimagnetic and ferroelectric orders. We derive the magnetoelectric coupling for this system, which leads to a direct strong coupling between the charge and spin orders. We show that, due to intrinsic spin-orbit coupling effects, the electronic structure shows a non-zero Chern number, thus displaying a topological multiferroic order. We show that this topological state gives rise to interface modes at the different magnetic and ferroelectric domains of the multiferroic. We demonstrate that these topological modes can be tuned with external electric fields as well as triggered by supermoire effects generated by a substrate. Our results put forward twisted van der Waals materials as a potential platform to explore multiferroic symmetry breaking orders and, ultimately, controllable topological excitations in magnetoelectric domains.

  12 citations

• Noncoplanar magnetic orders and gapless chiral spin liquid on the kagome lattice with staggered scalar spin chirality

  Fabrizio Oliviero, João Augusto Sobral, Eric C. Andrade, Rodrigo G. Pereira

  SciPost Phys. 13, 050 (2022) · published 5 September 2022 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  Chiral three-spin interactions can suppress long-range magnetic order and stabilize quantum spin liquid states in frustrated lattices. We study a spin-1/2 model on the kagome lattice involving a staggered three-spin interaction $J_\chi$ in addition to Heisenberg exchange couplings $J_1$ on nearest-neighbor bonds and $J_d$ across the diagonals of the hexagons. We explore the phase diagram using a combination of a classical approach, parton mean-field theory, and variational Monte Carlo methods. We obtain a variety of noncoplanar magnetic orders, including a phase that interpolates between cuboc-1 and cuboc-2 states. In the regime of dominant $J_{\chi}$, we find a classically disordered region and argue that it may harbor a gapless chiral spin liquid with a spinon Fermi surface. Our results show that the competition between the staggered three-spin interaction and Heisenberg exchange interactions gives rise to unusual ground states of spin systems.

  8 citations

• Hidden dualities in 1D quasiperiodic lattice models

  Miguel Gonçalves, Bruno Amorim, Eduardo V. Castro, Pedro Ribeiro

  SciPost Phys. 13, 046 (2022) · published 1 September 2022 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We find that quasiperiodicity-induced transitions between extended and localized phases in generic 1D systems are associated with hidden dualities that generalize the well-known duality of the Aubry-Andr\'e model. These spectral and eigenstate dualities are locally defined near the transition and can, in many cases, be explicitly constructed by considering relatively small commensurate approximants. The construction relies on auxiliary 2D Fermi surfaces obtained as functions of the phase-twisting boundary conditions and of the phase-shifting real-space structure. We show that, around the critical point of the limiting quasiperiodic system, the auxiliary Fermi surface of a high-enough-order approximant converges to a universal form. This allows us to devise a highly-accurate method to obtain mobility edges and duality transformations for generic 1D quasiperiodic systems through their commensurate approximants. To illustrate the power of this approach, we consider several previously studied systems, including generalized Aubry-Andr\'e models and coupled Moir\'e chains. Our findings bring a new perspective to examine quasiperiodicity-induced extended-to-localized transitions in 1D, provide a working criterion for the appearance of mobility edges, and an explicit way to understand the properties of eigenstates close to and at the transition.

  34 citations

• Crystal gravity

  Jan Zaanen, Floris Balm, Aron J. Beekman

  SciPost Phys. 13, 039 (2022) · published 30 August 2022 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We address a subject that could have been analyzed century ago: how does the universe of general relativity look like when it would have been filled with solid matter? Solids break spontaneously the translations and rotations of space itself. Only rather recently it was realized in various context that the order parameter of the solid has a relation to Einsteins dynamical space time which is similar to the role of a Higgs field in a Yang-Mills gauge theory. Such a "crystal gravity" is therefore like the Higgs phase of gravity. The usual Higgs phases are characterized by a special phenomenology. A case in point is superconductivity exhibiting phenomena like the Type II phase, characterized by the emergence of an Abrikosov lattice of quantized magnetic fluxes absorbing the external magnetic field. What to expect in the gravitational setting? The theory of elasticity is the universal effective field theory associated with the breaking of space translations and rotations having a similar status as the phase action describing a neutral superfluid. A geometrical formulation appeared in its long history, similar in structure to general relativity, which greatly facilitates the marriage of both theories. With as main limitation that we focus entirely on stationary circumstances -- the dynamical theory is greatly complicated by the lack of Lorentz invariance -- we will present a first exploration of a remarkably rich and often simple physics of "Higgsed gravity".

  8 citations

• Quantum dynamics in 1D lattice models with synthetic horizons

  Corentin Morice, Dmitry Chernyavsky, Jasper van Wezel, Jeroen van den Brink, Ali G. Moghaddam

  SciPost Phys. Core 5, 042 (2022) · published 29 August 2022 | Toggle abstract · pdf

  We investigate the wave packet dynamics and eigenstate localization in recently proposed generalized lattice models whose low-energy dynamics mimic a quantum field theory in (1+1)D curved spacetime with the aim of creating systems analogous to black holes. We identify a critical slowdown of zero-energy wave packets in a family of 1D tight-binding models with power-law variation of the hopping parameter, indicating the presence of a horizon. Remarkably, wave packets with non-zero energies bounce back and reverse direction before reaching the horizon. We additionally observe a power-law localization of all eigenstates, each bordering a region of exponential suppression. These forbidden regions dictate the closest possible approach to the horizon of states with any given energy. These numerical findings are supported by a semiclassical description of the wave packet trajectories, which are shown to coincide with the geodesics expected for the effective metric emerging from the considered lattice models in the continuum limit.

  5 citations