Fractionalization, topological order, and quasiparticle statistics

We argue, based on general principles, that topological order is essential to realize fractionalization in gapped insulating phases in dimensions $d \geq 2$. In $d=2$ with genus $g$, we derive the existence of the minimum topological degeneracy $q^g$ if the charge is fractionalized in unit of $1/q$, irrespective of microscopic model or of effective theory. Furthermore, if the quasiparticle is either boson or fermion, it must be at least $q^{2g}$.Comment: 4 pages, updated with additional references. No change in the main conclusio

Mass ratio of elementary excitations in frustrated antiferromagnetic chains with dimerization

Excitation spectra of S=1/2 and S=1 frustrated Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chains with bond alternation (explicit dimerization) are studied using a combination of analytical and numerical methods. The system undergoes a dimerization transition at a critical bond alternation parameter $\delta=\delta_{\rm c}$, where $\delta_{\rm c} = 0$ for the S=1/2 chain. The SU(2)-symmetric sine-Gordon theory is known to be an effective field theory of the system except at the transition point. The sine-Gordon theory has a SU(2)-triplet and a SU(2)-singlet of elementary excitation, and the mass ratio $r$ of the singlet to the triplet is $\sqrt{3}$. However, our numerical calculation with the infinite time-evolving block decimation method shows that $r$ depends on the frustration (next-nearest-neighbor coupling) and is generally different from $\sqrt{3}$. This can be understood as an effect of marginal perturbation to the sine-Gordon theory. In fact, at the critical frustration separating the second-order and first-order dimerization transitions, the marginal operator vanishes and $r=\sqrt{3}$ holds. We derive the mass ratio $r$ analytically using form-factor perturbation theory combined with a renormalization-group analysis. Our formula agrees well with the numerical results, confirming the theoretical picture. The present theory also implies that, even in the presence of a marginally irrelevant operator, the mass ratio approaches $\sqrt{3}$ in the very vicinity of the second-order dimerization critical point $\delta \sim \delta_c$. However, such a region is extremely small and would be difficult to observe numerically.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure

Haldane Gap and Hidden Order in the S=2 Antiferromagnetic Quantum Spin Chain

We have investigated Haldane's conjecture for the S=2 isotropic antiferromagnetic quantum spin chain with nearest-neighbor exchange J. Using a density matrix renormalization group algorithm for chains up to L=350 spins, we find in the thermodynamic limit a finite spin gap of Delta = 0.085(5)J and a finite spin-spin correlation length xi = 49(1) lattice spacings. We establish the ground state energy per bond to be E_0=-4.761248(1)J. We show that the ground state has a hidden topological order that is revealed in a nonlocal string correlation function. This means that the physics of the S=2 chain can be captured by a valence-bond solid description. We also observe effective free spin-1 states at the ends of an open S=2 chain.Comment: 6 pages, LaTeX 2.09, 3 PostScript figure

Coupled S=1/2S=1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chains in an effective staggered field

We present a systematic study of coupled $S=1/2$ Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chains in an effective staggered field. We investigate several effects of the staggered field in the {\em higher} ({\em two or three}) {\em dimensional} spin system analytically. In particular, in the case where the staggered field and the inter-chain interaction compete with each other, we predict, using mean-field theory, a characteristic phase transition. The spin-wave theory predicts that the behavior of the gaps induced by the staggered field is different between the competitive case and the non-competitive case. When the inter-chain interactions are sufficiently weak, we can improve the mean-field phase diagram by using chain mean-field theory and the analytical results of field theories. The ordered phase region predicted by the chain mean-field theory is substantially smaller than that by the mean-field theory.Comment: 13pages, 12figures, to be published in PR

Magnon bands of N-leg integer-spin antiferromagnetic systems in the weak interchain-coupling regime

Using the exact results of the O(3) nonlinear sigma model (NLSM) and a few quantitative numerical data for integer-spin antiferromagnetic (AF) chains, we systematically estimate all magnon excitation energies of N-leg integer-spin AF ladders and tubes in the weak-interchain-coupling regime. Our method is based on a first-order perturbation theory for the strength of the interchain coupling. It can deal with any kind of interchain interactions, in principle. We confirm that results of the perturbation theory are in good agreement with those of a quantum Monte Carlo simulation and with our recent study based on a saddle-point approximation of the NLSM [Phys. Rev. B 72, 104438 (2005)]. Our theory further supports the existence of a Haldane (gapped) phase even in a d-dimensional (d\geq 2) spatially anisotropic integer-spin AF model, if the exchange coupling in one direction is sufficiently strong compared with those in all the other directions. The strategy in this paper is applicable to other N-leg systems consisting of gapped chains which low-energy physics is exactly or quantitatively known.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, Revtex, published version, see also cond-mat/0506049 (PRB72, 104438 (2005)

Analytic thermodynamics and thermometry of Gaudin-Yang Fermi gases

We study the thermodynamics of a one-dimensional attractive Fermi gas (the Gaudin-Yang model) with spin imbalance. The exact solution has been known from the thermodynamic Bethe ansatz for decades, but it involves an infinite number of coupled nonlinear integral equations whose physics is difficult to extract. Here the solution is analytically reduced to a simple, powerful set of four algebraic equations. The simplified equations become universal and exact in the experimental regime of strong interaction and relatively low temperature. Using the new formulation, we discuss the qualitative features of finite-temperature crossover and make quantitative predictions on the density profiles in traps. We propose a practical two-stage scheme to achieve accurate thermometry for a trapped spin-imbalanced Fermi gas.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures; published version (v2

Dynamical Structure Factor in Cu Benzoate and other spin-1/2 antiferromagnetic chains

Recent experiments of the quasi-one-dimensional spin-1/2 antiferromagnet Copper Benzoate established the existence of a magnetic field induced gap. The observed neutron scattering intensity exhibits resolution limited peaks at both the antiferromagnetic wave number and at incommensurate wave numbers related to the applied magnetic field. We determine the ratio of spectral weights of these peaks within the framework of a low-energy effective field theory description of the problem.Comment: 5 pages, 3figure

Direct perturbation theory on the shift of Electron Spin Resonance

We formulate a direct and systematic perturbation theory on the shift of the main paramagnetic peak in Electron Spin Resonance, and derive a general expression up to second order. It is applied to one-dimensional XXZ and transverse Ising models in the high field limit, to obtain explicit results including the polarization dependence for arbitrary temperature.Comment: 5 pages (no figures) in REVTE

Single-ion anisotropy in Haldane chains and form factor of the O(3) nonlinear sigma model

We consider spin-1 Haldane chains with single-ion anisotropy, which exists in known Haldane chain materials. We develop a perturbation theory in terms of anisotropy, where magnon-magnon interaction is important even in the low temperature limit. The exact two-particle form factor in the O(3) nonlinear sigma model leads to quantitative predictions on several dynamical properties including dynamical structure factor and electron spin resonance frequency shift. These agree very well with numerical results, and with experimental data on the Haldane chain material Ni(C$_5$H$_{14}$N$_2$)$_2$N$_3$(PF$_6$)