Finite-Size Scaling Theory at a Self-Dual Quantum Critical Point

TL;DR

This paper investigates how self-duality influences finite-size scaling of thermodynamic quantities at quantum critical points, revealing sector-dependent behaviors crucial for numerical diagnosis.

Contribution

It demonstrates that self-duality affects finite-size scaling in specific symmetry sectors, providing a new perspective on diagnosing self-dual quantum critical points.

Findings

GR and magnetization exhibit different scaling in sectors

Proper boundary conditions are essential for self-duality realization

Numerical diagnosis requires sector identification

Abstract

The nondivergence of the generalized Gr\"uneisen ratio (GR) at a quantum critical point (QCP) has been proposed to be a universal thermodynamic signature of self-duality. In this work, we study how the Kramers-Wannier-type self-duality manifests itself in the finite-size scaling behavior of thermodynamic quantities in the quantum critical regime. While the self-duality cannot be realized as a unitary transformation in the total Hilbert space for the Hamiltonian with the periodic boundary condition, it can be implemented in certain symmetry sectors with proper boundary conditions. Therefore, the GR and the transverse magnetization of the one-dimensional transverse-field Ising model exhibit different finite-size scaling behaviors in different sectors. This implies that the numerical diagnosis of self-dual QCP requires identifying the proper symmetry sectors.