Translation constraints on quantum phases with twisted boundary conditions

Abstract

Bulk properties of quantum phases should be independent of a specific choice of boundary conditions as long as the boundary respects the symmetries. Based on this physically reasonable requirement, we discuss the Lieb-Schultz-Mattis-type ingappability in two-dimensional quantum magnets under a boundary condition that makes evident a quantum anomaly underlying the lattice system. In particular, we direct our attention to those on the checkerboard lattice, which are closely related to frustrated quantum magnets on the square lattice and on the Shastry-Sutherland lattice. Our discussion is focused on the adiabatic U(1) flux insertion through a closed path in a boundary condition twisted by a spatial rotation and a reflection. Two-dimensional systems in this boundary condition are effectively put on a nonorientable space, namely the Klein bottle. We show that the translation symmetry on the Klein-bottle space excludes the possibility of the unique and gapped ground state. Taking advantage of the flux insertion argument, we also discuss the ground-state degeneracy on magnetization plateaus of the Heisenberg antiferromagnet on the checkerboard lattice.