Exact solution of a quantum spin chain with competing bulk and boundary terms

Abstract

We obtain the exact solution of an anisotropic quantum spin chain including nearest neighbor (NN), next nearest neighbor (NNN), chiral three-spin interactions and non-diagonal boundary terms. Because the NNN couplings are involved, we find that the off-diagonal boundary reflections can not only induce the anisotropic Dzyloshinsky–Moriya interactions at boundaries but also enhance the anisotropy of first and last bonds. These properties are absent if only the NN spin-exchanging interactions are considered. Due to that the U(1) symmetry is broken, we analytically solve the system by using the off-diagonal Bethe ansatz. The inhomogeneous T − Q relation, energy spectrum and associated Bethe ansatz equations are given explicitly. This paper provides an universal scheme to construct new integrable models with certain interesting interactions.