Gauging defects in quantum spin systems

A case study

authored by
Jacob C. Bridgeman, Alexander Hahn, Tobias J. Osborne, Ramona Wolf
Abstract

The goal of this work is to build a dynamical theory of defects for quantum spin systems. This is done by explicitly giving an exhaustive case study of a one-dimensional spin chain with Vec(Z/2Z) fusion rules, which can easily be extended to more general settings. A kinematic theory for an indefinite number of defects is first introduced exploiting distinguishable Fock space. Dynamics are then incorporated by allowing the defects to become mobile via a microscopic Hamiltonian. This construction is extended to topologically ordered systems by restricting to the ground state eigenspace of Hamiltonians generalizing the golden chain. Technically, this is done by employing generalized tube algebra techniques to model the defects in the chain. We illustrate this approach for the Vec(Z/2Z) spin chain, in whose case the resulting dynamical defect model is equivalent to the critical transverse Ising model.

Organisation(s)
Institute of Theoretical Physics
QuantumFrontiers
CRC 1227 Designed Quantum States of Matter (DQ-mat)
External Organisation(s)
Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
Type
Article
Journal
Physical Review B
Volume
101
ISSN
2469-9950
Publication date
27.04.2020
Publication status
Published
Peer reviewed
Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Condensed Matter Physics
Electronic version(s)
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.101.134111 (Access: Closed)