Tensor-network study of the ground state of maple-leaf Heisenberg antiferromagnet

TL;DR

This study uses tensor network methods to map the ground state phases of the spin-1/2 Heisenberg model on the maple-leaf lattice, revealing two phases and a first-order transition at a specific coupling ratio.

Contribution

It introduces an advanced tensor network approach combined with corner transfer matrix techniques to analyze the quantum phase diagram of the maple-leaf Heisenberg antiferromagnet.

Findings

Identifies two main phases: canted-120° magnetic order and dimer singlet phase.

Locates a first-order transition at J_d/J ≈ 1.45.

Finds quantum renormalization effects on the canting angle.

Abstract

We study the quantum phase diagram of the spin-$1/2$ nearest-neighbor Heisenberg model on the maple-leaf lattice using infinite projected entangled pair states (iPEPS) combined with a corner transfer matrix renormalization group scheme adapted to $C_3$-symmetric lattices. Focusing on the fully antiferromagnetic $J$-$J_d$ model with $J_h = J_t := J$, we map out the ground-state phase diagram as a function of the dimer coupling $J_d$. Our results show that the system hosts only two phases: a magnetically ordered canted-$120^\circ$ phase and an exact dimer singlet product phase. We identify a first-order transition between these two phases at $J_d/J \approx 1.45$. Within the magnetically ordered phase, we observe small but finite magnetic moments. We also resolve the quantum renormalization of the canting angle, which deviates from the classical prediction over almost the entire magnetically ordered phase.