Spin chains with boundary inhomogeneities

TL;DR

This paper studies how boundary inhomogeneities affect integrable open quantum spin chains, revealing their impact on the Hamiltonian construction, quantum symmetry, and Bethe ansatz solutions.

Contribution

It introduces boundary inhomogeneities into integrable spin chains and analyzes their effects on the model's symmetry and solution methods.

Findings

Boundary inhomogeneity allows local Hamiltonian construction.

Quantum group symmetry can be preserved with boundary inhomogeneity.

Boundary inhomogeneity significantly alters Bethe ansatz solutions.

Abstract

We investigate the effect of introducing a boundary inhomogeneity in the transfer matrix of an integrable open quantum spin chain. We find that it is possible to construct a local Hamiltonian, and to have quantum group symmetry. The boundary inhomogeneity has a profound effect on the Bethe ansatz solution.