Abstract
The ground-state properties of the spin-(1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on a square lattice are studied by using a simple variational wave function that interpolates continuously between the N\'eel state and short-range resonating-valence-bond states. Exact calculations of the variational energy for small systems show that the state with the lowest energy has long-range antiferromagnetic order. The staggered magnetization in this state is approximately 70% of its maximum possible value. The variational estimate of the ground-state energy is substantially lower than the value obtained for the nearest-neighbor resonating-valence-bond wave function.
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