Phase diagrams of S=1/2 bilayer Models of SU(2) symmetric antiferromagnets

TL;DR

This paper explores the zero-temperature phase diagrams of SU(2) symmetric bilayer antiferromagnetic models with varying spin exchanges, revealing complex phase transitions and novel behaviors in different coupling scenarios.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of phase diagrams for bilayer models with distinct internal symmetries and coupling types, highlighting new phase transition phenomena.

Findings

First-order Nèel-VBS transition in both models

Distinct finite-size scaling behaviors observed

Deviations from XY model expectations in VBS-dimer transition

Abstract

We study the $T=0$ phase diagrams of models of bilayers of $S=1/2$ square lattices antiferromagnets with SU(2) Heisenberg symmetry that have 2, 4, and 6 spin exchanges. We study two families of bilayer models with distinct internal symmetries and, hence, different phase diagram topologies. A traditional bilayer model in which the interlayer interaction is Heisenberg so that the two layers can exchange spin (and energy) with each other, making it possible to achieve a simple dimerized valence bond liquid-like state. The resulting phase diagram is rich with N\'eel, valence bond solid and simple dimer phases, and both first-order and continuous transitions, which we demonstrate are consistent with the conventional Landau theory of order parameters. In the second family of models in which the layers can exchange only energy but no spin (reminiscent of the Ashkin-Teller coupling), the simple dimer state cannot occur. The phase diagrams reveal a number of phase transitions that are accessed for the first time. We find that the phase transition between N\'eel and VBS is first order in both the spin-spin and energy-energy coupled models, although they have strikingly distinct finite-size scaling behavior and that the transition from VBS to dimer in the spin-spin coupling model deviates from the expected scenario of an XY model with dangerously irrelevant four-fold anisotropy.