Phase transition in the Blume-Capel model with second neighbour interaction

A two dimensional antiferromagnetic spin-1 Ising model with negative next- nearest neighbour interaction (J ₂ <0) and under an external magnetic field is investigated by two methods: The mean-field theory and Finite-Size-Scaling based on transfer matrix (TMFSS) calculations. The ground state diagrams exhibit several new phases including frustrated ones. At finite temperature we obtain by these two methods quite rich phase diagrams, with several multicritical points. While Mean field approximation yields phase diagrams which are sometimes even qualitatively incorrect, accurate results are obtained from transfer matrix finite size scaling calculations. For a certain range of interaction parameters, the model is shown to violate the ordinary universality hypothesis. Received: 3 November 1997 / Revised: 31 March 1998 / Accepted: 7 April 1998     

Novel massive ground states of spin chains in a magnetic field

Novel massive quantum states appearing in spin chains under a strong magnetic field are discussed. These states lead to plateaus in magnetization curves. When the systems are axially symmetric and the field is applied parallel to the symmetry-axis, the phenomena are analogous to metal-insulator transitions. Striking features of the plateau phenomena - exactness and rationality - are explained as consequences the commensurability condition to the underlying lattice. The effects of the planar anisotropy are also discussed in detail. Received: 16 February 1998 / Revised: 20 April 1998 / Accepted: 30 April 1998     

On the incommensurate phase in modulated Heisenberg chains

Using the density matrix renormalization group method (DMRG) we calculate the magnetization of frustrated S=1/2 Heisenberg chains for various modulation patterns of the nearest neighbour coupling: commensurate, incommensurate with sinusoidal modulation and incommensurate with solitonic modulation. We focus on the order of the phase transition from the commensurate dimerized phase (D) to the incommensurate phase (I). It is shown that the order of the phase transition depends sensitively on the model. For the solitonic model in particular, a k-dependent elastic energy modifies the order of the transition. Furthermore, we calculate gaps in the incommensurate phase in adiabatic approximation. Received: 9 March 1998 / Accepted: 17 April 1998     

First excitations of the spin 1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on the kagomé lattice

We study the exact low energy spectra of the spin 1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on small samples of the kagomé lattice of up to N=36 sites. In agreement with the conclusions of previous authors, we find that these low energy spectra contradict the hypothesis of Néel type long range order. Certainly, the ground state of this system is a spin liquid, but its properties are rather unusual. The magnetic () excitations are separated from the ground state by a gap. However, this gap is filled with nonmagnetic () excitations. In the thermodynamic limit the spectrum of these nonmagnetic excitations will presumably develop into a gapless continuum adjacent to the ground state. Surprisingly, the eigenstates of samples with an odd number of sites, i.e. samples with an unsaturated spin, exhibit symmetries which could support long range chiral order. We do not know if these states will be true thermodynamic states or only metastable ones. In any case, the low energy properties of the spin 1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on the kagomé lattice clearly distinguish this system from either a short range RVB spin liquid or a standard chiral spin liquid. Presumably they are facets of a generically new state of frustrated two-dimensional quantum antiferromagnets. Received: 27 November 1997 / Accepted: 29 January 1998     

On evaluation of transverse spin fluctuations in quantum magnets

A numerical method is described for evaluating transverse spin correlations in the random phase approximation. Quantum spin-fluctuation corrections to sublattice magnetization are evaluated for the antiferromagnetic ground state of the half-filled Hubbard model in two and three dimensions in the whole U/t range. Extension to the case of defects in the AF is also discussed for spin vacancies and low-U impurities. In the limit, the vacancy-induced enhancement in the spin fluctuation correction is obtained for the spin-vacancy problem in two dimensions, for vacancy concentration up to the percolation threshold. For low-U impurities, the overall spin fluctuation correction is found to be strongly suppressed, although surprisingly spin fluctuations are locally enhanced at the low-U sites. Received 27 April 1998 and Received in final form 13 August 1998     

Far-infrared probe of size dispersion and population fluctuations in doped self-assembled quantum dots

We investigate the FIR magneto-optical transitions in doped self-assembled InAs quantum dots with an average filling ranging from 0.6 to 6 electrons per dot. Significant changes in the magnetic field dispersion, the line-width and the amplitude of the transitions are observed as the doping level is varied, in agreement with our theoretical calculations. We show that our technique is an effective tool to obtain informations regarding the dot size homogeneity and the electron filling uniformity.Received: 22 July 2003, Published online: 2 October 2003PACS: 73.21.La Quantum dots - 78.20.Ls Magnetooptical effects - 78.30.Fs III-V and II-VI semiconductors - 78.67.Hc Quantum dotsE. Deleporte: Present address: Laboratoire de Photonique Quantique et Moleculaire, École Normale Superieure de Cachan, 94235 Cachan Cedex, FranceJ.M. Gérard: Present address: CEA-Grenoble DRFMC/SP2M/PSC, Laboratoire de Physique des semiconducteurs, 38054 Grenoble, France     

Brownian rotation of classical spins: dynamical equations for non-bilinear spin-environment couplings

Given two strings X and Y of N and M characters respectively, the Longest Common Subsequence (LCS) Problem asks for the longest sequence of (non-contiguous) matches between X and Y. Using extensive Monte-Carlo simulations for this problem, we find a finite size scaling law of the form for the average LCS length of two random strings of size N over S letters. We provide precise estimates of for .We consider also a related Bernoulli Matching model where the different entries of an array are occupied with a match independently with probability 1/S. On the basis of a cavity-like analysis we find that the length of a longest sequence of matches in that case behaves as where r=M/N and . This formula agrees very well with our numerical computations. It provides a very good approximation for the Random String model, the approximation getting more accurate as S increases. The question of the “universality class” of the LCS problem is also considered. Our results for the Bernoulli Matching model show very good agreement with the scaling predictions of [#!HwaLassig96_PRL!#] for Needleman-Wunsch sequence alignment. We find however that the variance of the LCS length has a scaling different from Var in the Random String model, suggesting that long-ranged correlations among the matches are relevant in this model. We finally study the “ground state” properties of this problem. We find that the number of solutions typically grows exponentially with N. In other words, this system does not satisfy “Nernst's principle”. This is also reflected at the level of the overlap between two LCSs chosen at random, which is found to be self averaging and to approach a definite value q _S <1 as . Received: 23 April 1998 / Revised: 30 July 1998 / Accepted: 14 August 1998     

A geometric generalization of field theory to manifolds of arbitrary dimension

We introduce a generalization of the O(N) field theory to N-colored membranes of arbitrary inner dimension D. The O(N) model is obtained for , while leads to self-avoiding tethered membranes (as the O(N) model reduces to self-avoiding polymers). The model is studied perturbatively by a 1-loop renormalization group analysis, and exactly as .Freedom to choose the expansion point D, leads to precise estimates of critical exponents of the O(N) model. Insights gained from this generalization include a conjecture on the nature of droplets dominating the 3d-Ising model at criticality; and the fixed point governing the random bond Ising model. Received: 15 October 1998 / Accepted: 4 November 1998     

Influence of hydrodynamics on the dynamics of a homopolymer

We present an analytical approach of the dynamics of a polymer when it is quenched from a solvent into a good or bad solvent. The dynamics is studied by means of a Langevin equation, first in the absence of hydrodynamic effect, then taking into account the hydrodynamic interactions with the solvent. The variation of the radius of gyration is studied as a function of time. In both cases, for the first stage of collapse or swelling, the evolution is described by a power law with a characteristic time proportional to N ^4/3 (N), where N is the number of monomers, without (with) hydrodynamic interactions. At larger times, scaling laws are derived for the diffusive relaxation time. Received: 10 March 1998 / Received in final form: 15 September 1998 / Accepted: 25 September 1998     

Quantum rotors with regular frustration and the quantum Lifshitz point

We have discussed the zero-temperature quantum phase transition in n-component quantum rotor Hamiltonian in the presence of regular frustration in the interaction. The phase diagram consists of ferromagnetic, helical and quantum paramagnetic phase, where the ferro-para and the helical-para phase boundary meets at a multicritical point called a (d,m) quantum Lifshitz point where (d,m) indicates that the m of the d spatial dimensions incorporate frustration. We have studied the Hamiltonian in the vicinity of the quantum Lifshitz point in the spherical limit and also studied the renormalisation group flow behaviour using standard momentum space renormalisation technique (for finite n). In the spherical limit ()one finds that the helical phase does not exist in the presence of any nonvanishing quantum fluctuation for m =d though the quantum Lifshitz point exists for all d > 1+m/2, and the upper critical dimensionality is given by d _u = 3 +m/2. The scaling behaviour in the neighbourhood of a quantum Lifshitz point in d dimensions is consistent with the behaviour near the classical Lifshitz point in (d+z) dimensions. The dynamical exponent of the quantum Hamiltonian z is unity in the case of anisotropic Lifshitz point (d>m) whereas z=2 in the case of isotropic Lifshitz point (d=m). We have evaluated all the exponents using the renormalisation flow equations along-with the scaling relations near the quantum Lifshitz point. We have also obtained the exponents in the spherical limit (). It has also been shown that the exponents in the spherical model are all related to those of the corresponding Gaussian model by Fisher renormalisation. Received: 23 December 1997 / Received in final form: 6 January 1998 / Accepted: 7 January 1998     

Quadrupolar order in the Heisenberg ferromagnet with the single-ion cubic anisotropy

The ground state properties of S =2 ferromagnets with isotropic Heisenberg exchange (J) and single-ion cubic anisotropy (D) are studied. The perturbation theory for is used to find an effective Hamiltonian up to the fourth order for 1, 2 and 3 dimensions. It is shown that in opposition to the MFA prediction there is the quadrupolar long range order at T = 0 in the non-magnetic state of the system without a quadrupolar type of interaction. The effect is a consequence of the quantum nature of the model. Received: 19 February 1998 / Accepted: 17 March 1998     

Boundary condition histograms for modulated phases

Boundary conditions strongly affect the results of numerical computations for finite size inhomogeneous or incommensurate structures. We present a method which allows to deal with this problem, both for ground state and for critical properties: it combines fluctuating boundary conditions and specific histogram techniques. Our approach concerns classical systems possessing a continuous symmetry as well as quantum systems. In particular, current-current correlation functions, which probe large scale coherence of the states, can be accurately evaluated. We illustrate our method on a frustrated two dimensional XY model. Received: 9 September 1997 / Revised: 17 October 1997 / Accepted: 3 November 1997     

Stability of the Haldane state against the antiferromagnetic-bond randomness

Ground-state phase diagram of the one-dimensional bond-random S=1 Heisenberg antiferromagnet is investigated by means of the loop-cluster-update quantum Monte-Carlo method. The random couplings are drawn from a rectangular uniform distribution. We found that even in the case of extremely broad bond distribution, the magnetic correlation decays exponentially, and the correlation length is hardly changed; namely, the Haldane phase continues to be realized. This result is accordant with that of the exact-diagonalization study, whereas it might contradict the conclusion of an analytic theory founded in a power-law bond distribution instead. The latter theory predicts that a second-order phase transition occurs at a certain critical randomness, and the correlation length diverges for sufficiently strong randomness. Received: 31 March 1998 / Revised and Accepted: 7 July 1998     

Excitations in the dilute lattice model: , and mass spectra

On the basis of features observed in the exact perturbation approach solution for the eigenspectrum of the dilute A₃ model, we propose expressions for excitations in the dilute A₄ and A₆ models. Principally, we require that these expressions satisfy the appropriate inversion relations. We demonstrate that they give the expected E₇ and E₆ mass spectra, and universal amplitudes, and agree with numerical expressions for the eigenvalues. Received: 17 February 1998 / Accepted: 30 April 1998     

A DMRG study of the -symmetric Heisenberg chain

The spin one-half Heisenberg chain with U q [ SU (2)] symmetry is studied via density-matrix renormalization. Ground-state energy and q-symmetric correlation functions are calculated for the non-Hermitian case with integer r. This gives bulk and surface exponents for (para)fermionic correlations in the related Ising and Potts models. The case of real q corresponding to a diffusion problem is treated analytically. Received: 18 February 1998 / Accepted: 17 March 1998     

Flow equations and extended Bogoliubov transformation for the Heisenberg antiferromagnet near the classical limit

The Heisenberg spin-S quantum antiferromagnet is studied near the large-spin limit, applying a new continuous unitary transformation which extends the usual Bogoliubov transformation to higher order in the 1/S-expansion of the Hamiltonian. This allows to diagonalize the bosonic Hamiltonian resulting from the Holstein-Primakoff representation beyond the conventional spin-wave approximation. The zero-temperature flow equations derived from the extension of the Bogoliubov transformation to order for the ground-state energy, the spin-wave velocity, and the staggered magnetization are solved exactly and yield results which are in agreement with those obtained by a perturbative treatment of the magnon interactions. Received: 19 March 1998 / Revised: 2 June 1998 / Accepted: 8 June 1998     

Finite temperature dynamics of vortices in the two dimensional anisotropic Heisenberg model

We study the effects of finite temperature on the dynamics of non-planar vortices in the classical, two-dimensional anisotropic Heisenberg model with XY- or easy-plane symmetry. To this end, we analyze a generalized Landau-Lifshitz equation including additive white noise and Gilbert damping. Using a collective variable theory with no adjustable parameters we derive an equation of motion for the vortices with stochastic forces which are shown to represent white noise with an effective diffusion constant linearly dependent on temperature. We solve these stochastic equations of motion by means of a Green's function formalism and obtain the mean vortex trajectory and its variance. We find a non-standard time dependence for the variance of the components perpendicular to the driving force. We compare the analytical results with Langevin dynamics simulations and find a good agreement up to temperatures of the order of 25% of the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition temperature. Finally, we discuss the reasons why our approach is not appropriate for higher temperatures as well as the discreteness effects observed in the numerical simulations. Received: 27 April 1998 / Revised: 2 September 1998 / Accepted: 10 September 1998     

Interaction versus dimerization in one-dimensional Fermi systems

In order to study the effect of interaction and lattice distortion on quantum coherence in one-dimensional Fermi systems, we calculate the ground state energy and the phase sensitivity of a ring of interacting spinless fermions on a dimerized lattice. Our numerical DMRG studies, in which we keep up to 1000 states for systems of about 100 sites, are supplemented by analytical considerations using bosonization techniques. We find a delocalized phase for an attractive interaction, which differs from that obtained for random lattice distortions. The extension of this delocalized phase depends strongly on the dimerization induced modification of the interaction. Taking into account the harmonic lattice energy, we find a dimerized ground state for a repulsive interaction only. The dimerization is suppressed at half filling, when the correlation gap becomes large. Received: 11 February 1998 / Revised: 1st April 1998 / Accepted: 30 April 1998     

Quantum spin-{3 \over 2} models on the Cayley tree - optimum ground state approach

We present a class of optimum ground states for quantum spin- models on the Cayley tree with coordination number 3. The interaction is restricted to nearest neighbours and contains 5 continuous parameters. For all values of these parameters the Hamiltonian has parity invariance, spin-flip invariance, and rotational symmetry in the xy-plane of spin space. The global ground states are constructed in terms of a 1-parametric vertex state model, which is a direct generalization of the well-known matrix product ground state approach. By using recursion relations and the transfer matrix technique we derive exact analytical expressions for local fluctuations and longitudinal and transversal two-point correlation functions. Received 1 March 1999     

Off-diagonal long-range order in a supersymmetric integrable model of correlated electrons

A new model for correlated electrons is presented which is integrable in one-dimension. The symmetry algebra of the model is the Lie superalgebra gl(2|1) which depends on a continuous free parameter. This symmetry algebra contains the pairing algebra as a subalgebra which is used to show that the model exhibits Off-Diagonal Long-Range Order in any number of dimensions. Received: 9 December 1997 / Revised: 12 February 1998 / Accepted: 17 March 1998