Phase transitions in the spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on the square lattice

TL;DR

This paper investigates the phase diagram of the spin-1/2 frustrated square lattice Heisenberg antiferromagnet, identifying phase transitions and a critical point using cluster density matrix embedding theory.

Contribution

It applies cluster density matrix embedding theory to map the phase diagram and identify a quantum critical point in the intermediate phase.

Findings

Neel phase for J2<0.45

Collinear phase for J2>0.65

Critical point at J2=0.55 dividing PVBS and CVBS phases

Abstract

The nature of the intermediate ground-state phase in the spin-1/2 frustrated square lattice model has long been debated. Using cluster density matrix embedding theory, we investigate the phase diagram of this model. The Neel phase is directly identified for J2<0.45 and the collinear phase for J2>0.65 based on the ground state. Although no direct evidence of an internal phase transition is found within the intermediate phase from the ground state, analysis of the first excited state wave function reveals a continuous quantum phase transition in this region, with a critical point at J2=0.55. This critical point divides the intermediate phase into PVBS and CVBS.