Probing the stability of the spin liquid phases in the Kitaev-Heisenberg model using tensor network algorithms

TL;DR

This paper investigates the stability and extent of spin liquid phases in the Kitaev-Heisenberg model using tensor network algorithms, confirming multiple phases and phase transitions in the thermodynamic limit.

Contribution

It applies infinite tensor network methods to accurately map the phase diagram of the Kitaev-Heisenberg model, revealing the presence and boundaries of spin liquid phases.

Findings

Confirmed existence of 6 phases including 2 spin liquids

Identified finite extents of spin liquid phases

Detected discontinuous phase transitions between phases

Abstract

We study the extent of the spin liquid phases in the Kitaev-Heisenberg model using infinite Projected Entangled-Pair States tensor network ansatz wave functions directly in the thermodynamic limit. To assess the accuracy of the ansatz wave functions we perform benchmarks against exact results for the Kitaev model and find very good agreement for various observables. In the case of the Kitaev-Heisenberg model we confirm the existence of 6 different phases: N\'eel, stripy, ferromagnetic, zigzag and two spin liquid phases. We find finite extents for both spin liquid phases and discontinuous phase transitions connecting them to symmetry-broken phases.