Topological $\mathbb{Z}_2$ Resonating-Valence-Bond Spin Liquid on the Square Lattice

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the existence of a topological $ ext{Z}_2$ resonating valence bond spin liquid on the square lattice, revealing its topological nature, phase transitions, and connections to classical dimer models.

Contribution

It provides evidence that a previously proposed RVB state also realizes a topological $ ext{Z}_2$ spin liquid with specific symmetries and describes its phase diagram and transitions.

Findings

Existence of a topological $ ext{Z}_2$ spin liquid on the square lattice.

Identification of phase transitions resembling Kosterlitz-Thouless transitions.

Strong similarities between the phase diagram and classical dimer models.

Abstract

A one-parameter family of long-range resonating valence bond (RVB) state on the square lattice was previously proposed to describe a critical spin liquid (SL) phase of the spin-$1/2$ frustrated Heisenberg model. We provide evidence that this RVB state in fact also realises a topological (long-range entangled) $\mathbb{Z}_2$ SL, limited by two transitions to critical SL phases. The topological phase is naturally connected to the $\mathbb{Z}_2$ gauge symmetry of the local tensor. This work shows that, on one hand, spin-$1/2$ topological SL with $C_{4v}$ point group symmetry and $SU(2)$ spin rotation symmetry exists on the square lattice and, on the other hand, criticality and nonbipartiteness are compatible. We also point out that, strong similarities between our phase diagram and the ones of classical interacting dimer models suggest both can be described by similar Kosterlitz-Thouless transitions. This scenario is further supported by the analysis of the one-dimensional boundary state.