Magnetization plateau in the S=1/2 spin ladder with alternating rung exchange

We have studied the ground state phase diagram of a spin ladder with alternating rung exchange $J^{n}_{\perp} = J_{\perp}[1 + (-1)^{n} \delta ]$ in a magnetic filed, in the limit where the rung coupling is dominant. In this limit the model is mapped onto an $XXZ$ Heisenberg chain in a uniform and staggered longitudinal magnetic fields, where the amplitude of the staggered field is $\sim \delta$. We have shown that the magnetization curve of the system exhibits a plateau at magnetization equal to the half of the saturation value. The width of a plateau scales as $\delta^{\nu}$, where $\nu =4/5$ in the case of ladder with isotropic antiferromagnetic legs and $\nu =2$ in the case of ladder with isotropic ferromagnetic legs. We have calculated four critical fields ($H^{\pm}_{c1}$ and $H^{\pm}_{c2}$) corresponding to transitions between different magnetic phases of the system. We have shown that these transitions belong to the universality class of the commensurate-incommensurate transition.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figure

Quantum simulation of correlated-hopping models with fermions in optical lattices

By using a modulated magnetic field in a Feshbach resonance for ultracold fermionic atoms in optical lattices, we show that it is possible to engineer a class of models usually referred to as correlated-hopping models. These models differ from the Hubbard model in exhibiting additional density-dependent interaction terms that affect the hopping processes. In addition to the spin-SU(2) symmetry, they also possess a charge-SU(2) symmetry, which opens the possibility of investigating the $\eta$-pairing mechanism for superconductivity introduced by Yang for the Hubbard model. We discuss the known solution of the model in 1D (where $\eta$ states have been found in the degenerate manifold of the ground state) and show that, away from the integrable point, quantum Monte Carlo simulations at half filling predict the emergence of a phase with coexisting incommensurate spin and charge order.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figure

Band-Insulator-Metal-Mott-Insulator transition in the half--filled t−t′t-t^{\prime} ionic-Hubbard chain

We investigate the ground state phase diagram of the half-filled $t-t^{\prime}$ repulsive Hubbard model in the presence of a staggered ionic potential $\Delta$, using the continuum-limit bosonization approach. We find, that with increasing on-site-repulsion $U$, depending on the value of the next-nearest-hopping amplitude $t^{\prime}$, the model shows three different versions of the ground state phase diagram. For $t^{\prime} < t^{\prime}_{\ast}$, the ground state phase diagram consists of the following three insulating phases: Band-Insulator at $U<U_{c}$, Ferroelectric Insulator at $U_{c} U_{c}$. For $t^{\prime} > t^{\prime}_{c}$ there is only one transition from a spin gapped metallic phase at $U U_{c}$. Finally, for intermediate values of the next-nearest-hopping amplitude $t^{\prime}_{\ast} < t^{\prime} < t^{\prime}_{c}$ we find that with increasing on-site repulsion, at $U_{c1}$ the model undergoes a second-order commensurate-incommensurate type transition from a band insulator into a metallic state and at larger $U_{c2}$ there is a Kosterlitz-Thouless type transition from a metal into a ferroelectric insulator.Comment: 9 pages 3 figure

Modulated Rashba interaction in a quantum wire: Spin and charge dynamics

It was recently shown that a spatially modulated Rashba spin-orbit coupling in a quantum wire drives a transition from a metallic to an insulating state when the wave number of the modulation becomes commensurate with the Fermi wave length of the electrons in the wire. It was suggested that the effect may be put to practical use in a future spin transistor design. In the present article we revisit the problem and present a detailed analysis of the underlying physics. First, we explore how the build-up of charge density wave correlations in the quantum wire due to the periodic gate configuration that produces the Rashba modulation influences the transition to the insulating state. The interplay between the modulations of the charge density and that of the spin-orbit coupling turns out to be quite subtle: Depending on the relative phase between the two modulations, the joint action of the Rashba interaction and charge density wave correlations may either enhance or reduce the Rashba current blockade effect. Secondly, we inquire about the role of the Dresselhaus spin-orbit coupling that is generically present in a quantum wire embedded in semiconductor heterostructure. While the Dresselhaus coupling is found to work against the current blockade of the insulating state, the effect is small in most materials. Using an effective field theory approach, we also carry out an analysis of effects from electron- electron interactions, and show how the single-particle gap in the insulating state can be extracted from the more easily accessible collective charge and spin excitation thresholds. The smallness of the single-particle gap together with the anti-phase relation between the Rashba and chemical potential modulations pose serious difficulties for realizing a Rashba-controlled current switch in an InAs-based device. Some alternative designs are discussed.Comment: 20 pages, 6 figure

Strong correlation effects in single-wall carbon nanotubes

We present an overview of strong correlations in single-wall carbon nanotubes, and an introduction to the techniques used to study them theoretically. We concentrate on zigzag nanotubes, although universality dictates that much ofthe theory can also be applied to armchair or chiral nanotubes. We show how interaction effects lead to exotic low energy properties and discuss future directions for studies on correlation effects in nanotubes

Atom-molecule coherence in a one-dimensional system

We study a model of one-dimensional fermionic atoms that can bind in pairs to form bosonic molecules. We show that at low energy, a coherence develops between the molecule and fermion Luttinger liquids. At the same time, a gap opens in the spin excitation spectrum. The coherence implies that the order parameters for the molecular Bose-Einstein Condensation and the atomic BCS pairing become identical. Moreover, both bosonic and fermionic charge density wave correlations decay exponentially, in contrast with a usual Luttinger liquid. We exhibit a Luther-Emery point where the systems can be described in terms of noninteracting pseudofermions. At this point, we provide closed form expressions for the density-density response functions.Comment: 5 pages, no figures, Revtex 4; (v2) added a reference to cond-mat/0505681 where related results are reported; (v3) Expression of correlation functions given in terms of generalized hypergeometric function

Exact Bond-Located Spin Ground State in the Hubbard Chain with Off-Diagonal Coulomb Interactions

We show the existence of an exact ground state in certain parameter regimes of one-dimensional half-filled extended Hubbard model with site-off-diagonal interactions. In this ground state, the bond-located spin correlation exhibits a long-range order. In the case when the spin space is SU(2) symmetric, this ground state degenerates with higher spin states including a fully ferromagnetic state. We also discuss the relation between the exact bond-ordered ground state and the critical bond-spin-density-wave phase.Comment: 4 pages, 4 eps figure

Phase Diagram of the Extended Hubbard Model with Correlated Hopping Interaction

A one-dimensional model of interacting electrons with on-site $U$, nearest-neighbor $V$, and correlated-hopping interaction $T^{\ast}$ is studied at half-filling using the continuum-limit field theory approach. The ground state phase diagram is obtained for a wide range of coupling constants. In addition to the insulating spin- and charge-density wave phases for large $U$ and $V$, respectively, we identify bond-located ordered phases corresponding to an enhanced Peierls instability in the system for $T^\ast>0$, $|U-2V|<8T^\ast/\pi$ and to a staggered magnetization located on bonds between sites for $T^\ast<0$, $|U-2V|<8|T^\ast|/\pi$. The general ground state phase diagram including insulating, metallic, and superconducting phases is discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 4 eps-figure