Charge-density waves in one-dimensional Hubbard superlattices

We study the formation of charge density waves (CDW's) in one-dimensional Hubbard superlattices, modeled by a repeated pattern of repulsive (U>0) and free (U=0) sites. By means of Lanczos diagonalizations for the ground state, we calculate the charge structure factor. Our results show that while the superlattice structure affects the modulation of the charge density waves, the periodicity can still be predicted through an effective density. We also show that, for a fixed repulsive layer thickness, the periodicity of the CDW is an oscillatory function of the free layer thickness.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Charge-density waves in the Hubbard chain: evidence for 4k_F instability

Charge density waves in the Hubbard chain are studied by means of finite-temperature Quantum Monte Carlo simulations and Lanczos diagonalizations for the ground state. We present results both for the charge susceptibilities and for the charge structure factor at densities \rho=1/6 and 1/3; for \rho=1/2 (quarter filled) we only present results for the charge structure factor. The data are consistent with a 4k_F instability dominating over the 2k_F one, at least for sufficiently large values of the Coulomb repulsion, U. This can only be reconciled with the Luttinger liquid analyses if the amplitude of the 2k_F contribution vanishes above some U^*(\rho).Comment: RevTeX, 4 two-column pages with 7 colour figures embedded in tex

Crossover behavior of the J1-J2 model in a staggered magnetic field

The ground states of the $S=\frac12$ Heisenberg chain with the nearest-neighbor and the next-nearest-neighbor antiferromagnetic couplings are numerically investigated in a staggered magnetic field. While the staggered magnetic field may induce the N\'eel-type excitation gap, and it is characterized by the Gaussian fixed point in the spin-fluid region, the crossover to the behavior controlled by the Ising fixed point is expected to be observed for the spontaneously dimerized state at finite field. Treating a low-lying excitation gap by the phenomenological renormalization-group method, we numerically determine the massless flow connecting the Gaussian and Ising fixed points. Further, to check the criticalities, we perform the finite-size-scaling analysis of the excitation gap.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Finite-size investigation of scaling corrections in the square-lattice three-state Potts antiferromagnet square-lattice three-state Potts antiferromagnet

We investigate the finite-temperature corrections to scaling in the three-state square-lattice Potts antiferromagnet, close to the critical point at T=0. Numerical diagonalization of the transfer matrix on semi-infinite strips of width $L$ sites, $4 \leq L \leq 14$, yields finite-size estimates of the corresponding scaled gaps, which are extrapolated to $L\to\infty$. Owing to the characteristics of the quantities under study, we argue that the natural variable to consider is $x \equiv L e^{-2\beta}For the extrapolated scaled gaps we show that square-root corrections, in the variable$x$, are present, and provide estimates for the numerical values of the amplitudes of the first-- and second--order correction terms, for both the first and second scaled gaps. We also calculate the third scaled gap of the transfer matrix spectrum at T=0, and find an extrapolated value of the decay-of-correlations exponent,$\eta_3=2.00(1)$. This is at odds with earlier predictions, to the effect that the third relevant operator in the problem would give$\eta_{{\bf P}_{\rm stagg}}=3$, corresponding to the staggered polarization.Comment: RevTex4, 5 pages, 2 .eps figures include

Quantum-fluctuation-induced collisions and subsequent excitation gap of an elastic string between walls

An elastic string embedded between rigid walls is simulated by means of the density-matrix renormalization group. The string collides against the walls owing to the quantum-mechanical zero-point fluctuations. Such ``quantum entropic'' interaction has come under thorough theoretical investigation in the context of the stripe phase observed experimentally in doped cuprates. We found that the excitation gap opens in the form of exponential singularity DeltaE ~ exp(-Ad^sigma) (d: wall spacing) with the exponent sigma =0.6(3), which is substantially smaller than the meanfield value sigma=2. That is, the excitation gap is much larger than that anticipated from meanfield, suggesting that the string is subjected to robust pinning potential due to the quantum collisions. This feature supports Zaanen's ``order out of disorder'' mechanism which would be responsible to the stabilization of the stripe phase

Magnetization plateau in the spin ladder with the four-spin exchange

The magnetization process of the $S$=1/2 antiferromagnetic spin ladder with the four-spin cyclic exchange interaction at T=0 is studied by the exact diagonalization of finite clusters and size scaling analyses. It is found that a magnetization plateau appears at half the saturation value if the ratio of the four- and two-spin exchange coupling constants $J_4$ is larger than the critical value $J_{4c}=0.05\pm$0.04. The phase transition with respect to $J_4$ at $J_{4c}$ is revealed to be the Kosterlitz-Thouless-type.Comment: 4 pages, Revtex, with 5 eps figure

Search for Kosterlitz-Thouless transition in a triangular Ising antiferromagnet with further-neighbour ferromagnetic interactions

We investigate an antiferromagnetic triangular Ising model with anisotropic ferromagnetic interactions between next-nearest neighbours, originally proposed by Kitatani and Oguchi (J. Phys. Soc. Japan {\bf 57}, 1344 (1988)). The phase diagram as a function of temperature and the ratio between first- and second- neighbour interaction strengths is thoroughly examined. We search for a Kosterlitz-Thouless transition to a state with algebraic decay of correlations, calculating the correlation lengths on strips of width up to 15 sites by transfer-matrix methods. Phenomenological renormalization, conformal invariance arguments, the Roomany-Wyld approximation and a direct analysis of the scaled mass gaps are used. Our results provide limited evidence that a Kosterlitz-Thouless phase is present. Alternative scenarios are discussed.Comment: 10 pages, RevTeX 3; 11 Postscript figures (uuencoded); to appear in Phys. Rev. E (1995

Z_3 Quantum Criticality in a spin-1/2 chain model

The stability of the magnetization $m=1/3$ plateau phase of the XXZ spin-1/2 Heisenberg chain with competing interactions is investigated upon switching on a staggered transverse magnetic field. Within a bosonization approach, it is shown that the low-energy properties of the model are described by an effective two-dimensional XY model in a three-fold symmetry-breaking field. A phase transition in the three-state Potts universality class is expected separating the $m=1/3$ plateau phase to a phase where the spins are polarized along the staggered magnetic field. The Z$_3$ critical properties of the transition are determined within the bosonization approach.Comment: 5 pages, revised versio