Numerical Density Matrix Renormalization Group Research Articles

Synthetic helical liquids with ultracold atoms in optical lattices

We discuss a platform for the synthetic realization of key physical properties of helical Tomonaga Luttinger liquids (HTLLs) with ultracold fermionic atoms in one-dimensional optical lattices. The HTLL is a strongly correlated metallic state where spin polarization and propagation direction of the itinerant particles are locked to each other. We propose an unconventional one-dimensional Fermi-Hubbard model which, at quarter filling, resembles the HTLL in the long wavelength limit, as we demonstrate with a combination of analytical (bosonization) and numerical (density matrix renormalization group) methods. An experimentally feasible scheme is provided for the realization of this model with ultracold fermionic atoms in optical lattices. Finally, we discuss how the robustness of the HTLL against back-scattering and imperfections, well known from its realization at the edge of two-dimensional topological insulators, is reflected in the synthetic one-dimensional scenario proposed here.

Localized Majorana-Like Modes in a Number-Conserving Setting: An Exactly Solvable Model

In this Letter we present, in a number conserving framework, a model of interacting fermions in a two-wire geometry supporting nonlocal zero-energy Majorana-like edge excitations. The model has an exactly solvable line, on varying the density of fermions, described by a topologically nontrivial ground state wave function. Away from the exactly solvable line we study the system by means of the numerical density matrix renormalization group. We characterize its topological properties through the explicit calculation of a degenerate entanglement spectrum and of the braiding operators which are exponentially localized at the edges. Furthermore, we establish the presence of a gap in its single particle spectrum while the Hamiltonian is gapless, and compute the correlations between the edge modes as well as the superfluid correlations. The topological phase covers a sizable portion of the phase diagram, the solvable line being one of its boundaries.

Low temperature dynamics of nonlinear Luttinger liquids

We develop a general nonlinear Luttinger liquid theory to describe the dynamics of one-dimensional quantum critical systems at low temperatures. To demonstrate the predictive power of our theory we compare results for the autocorrelation G(t) in the XXZ chain with numerical density-matrix renormalization group data and obtain excellent agreement. Our calculations provide, in particular, direct evidence that G(t) shows a diffusion-like decay, in sharp contrast to the exponential decay in time predicted by conventional Luttinger liquid theory.

Interaction-enabled topological phases in topological insulator–superconductor heterostructures

Topological phases of matter that depend for their existence on interactions are fundamentally interesting and potentially useful as platforms for future quantum computers. Despite the multitude of theoretical proposals the only interaction-enabled topological phase experimentally observed is the fractional quantum Hall liquid. To help identify other systems that can give rise to such phases we present in this work a detailed study of the effect of interactions on Majorana zero modes bound to vortices in a superconducting surface of a 3D topological insulator. This system is of interest because, as was recently pointed out, it can be tuned into the regime of strong interactions. We start with a 0D system suggesting an experimental realization of the interaction-induced $\mathbb{Z}_8$ ground state periodicity previously discussed by Fidkowski and Kitaev. We argue that the periodicity is experimentally observable using a tunnel probe. We then focus on interaction-enabled crystalline topological phases that can be built with the Majoranas in a vortex lattice in higher dimensions. In 1D we identify an interesting exactly solvable model which is related to a previously discussed one that exhibits an interaction-enabled topological phase. We study these models using analytical techniques, exact numerical diagonalization (ED) and density matrix renormalization group (DMRG). Our results confirm the existence of the interaction-enabled topological phase and clarify the nature of the quantum phase transition that leads to it. We finish with a discussion of models in dimensions 2 and 3 that produce similar interaction-enabled topological phases.

Phase diagram of a QED-cavity array coupled via a N-type level scheme

We study the zero-temperature phase diagram of a one-dimensional array of QED cavities where, besides the single-photon hopping, an additional coupling between neighboring cavities is mediated by an N-type four-level system. By varying the relative strength of the various couplings, the array is shown to exhibit a variety of quantum phases including a polaritonic Mott insulator, a density-wave and a superfluid phase. Our results have been obtained by means of numerical density-matrix renormalization group calculations. The phase diagram was obtained by analyzing the energy gaps for the polaritons, as well as through a study of two-point correlation functions.

Analytical and numerical studies of the one-dimensional sawtooth chain

By using the analytical coupled cluster method, the numerical exact diagonalization method, and the numerical density matrix renormalization group method, we investigated the properties of the one-dimensional sawtooth chain. The results of the coupled cluster method based on Néel state demonstrate that the ground state is in the quasi-Néel-long-range order state when α < α c 1 . The translational symmetry of the ground state varies and the ground state evolves from the quasi-Néel-long-range order state to the dimerized state at the critical point α c 1 . The dimerized state is stable in the intermediate parameter region and vanishes at another critical point α c 2 . The results drawn from the exact diagonalization show that the precise critical points α c 1 and α c 2 can be determined by using the spin stiffness fidelity susceptibility and spin gap separately. We compared the results obtained by using the coupled cluster method based on canted state with those obtained based on spiral state, and found that the ground state of the sawtooth chain is in the quasi-canted state if α > α c 2 . The results of the coupled cluster method and the density matrix renormalization group method both disclose that the type of the quantum phase transition occurring at α c 2 belongs to the first-order transition.

Quantum phase transition as an interplay of Kitaev and Ising interactions

We study the interplay between the Kitaev and Ising interactions on both ladder and two dimensional lattices. We show that the ground state of the Kitaev ladder is a symmetry-protected topological (SPT) phase, which is protected by a $\mathbb{Z}_2 \times \mathbb{Z}_2$ symmetry. It is confirmed by the degeneracy of the entanglement spectrum and non-trivial phase factors (inequivalent projective representations of the symmetries), which are obtained within infinite matrix-product representation of numerical density matrix renormalization group. We derive the effective theory to describe the topological phase transition on both ladder and two-dimensional lattices, which is given by the transverse field Ising model with/without next-nearest neighbor coupling. The ladder has three phases, namely, the Kitaev SPT, symmetry broken ferro/antiferromagnetic order and classical spin-liquid. The non-zero quantum critical point and its corresponding central charge are provided by the effective theory, which are in full agreement with the numerical results, i.e., the divergence of entanglement entropy at the critical point, change of the entanglement spectrum degeneracy and a drop in the ground-state fidelity. The central charge of the critical points are either c=1 or c=2, with the magnetization and correlation exponents being 1/4 and 1/2, respectively. In the absence of frustration, the 2D lattice shows a topological phase transition from the $\mathbb{Z}_2$ spin-liquid state to the long-range ordered Ising phase at finite ratio of couplings, while in the presence of frustration, an order-by-disorder transition is induced by the Kitaev term. The 2D classical spin-liquid phase is unstable against the addition of Kitaev term toward an ordered phase before the transition to the $\mathbb{Z}_2$ spin-liquid state.

Unconventional phases of the alternating-spin Heisenberg chain with extra three-body exchange terms

The Heisenberg chain with alternating site spins (S,σ) = (1, 1/2) defines a realistic prototype model admitting extra isotropic three-body exchange terms which drive the chain into exotic quantum phases. In this paper, we focus on the non-magnetic part of the phase diagram. Based on numerical density-matrix renormalization group and exact-diagonalization calculations, we demonstrate that the nearest-neighbor three-body interaction stabilizes (i) a critical spin liquid phase described by two Gaussian conformal theories as well as (ii) a critical nematic-like phase characterized by dominant quadrupolar S-spin fluctuations. The emergence of these phases reflects some specific features of the three-body terms such as the promotion of local collinear spin configurations and the enhanced tendency towards nearest- neighbor clustering of the spins.

Purification and many-body localization in cold atomic gases.

We propose to observe many-body localization in cold atomic gases by realizing a Bose-Hubbard chain with binary disorder and studying its nonequilibrium dynamics. In particular, we show that measuring the difference in occupation between even and odd sites, starting from a prepared density-wave state, provides clear signatures of localization. Furthermore, we confirm as hallmarks of the many-body localized phase a logarithmic increase of the entanglement entropy in time and Poissonian level statistics. Our numerical density-matrix renormalization group calculations for infinite system size are based on a purification approach; this allows us to perform the disorder average exactly, thus producing data without any statistical noise and with maximal simulation times of up to a factor 10 longer than in the clean case.

Phase diagram of the alternating-spin Heisenberg chain with extra isotropic three-body exchange interactions

For the time being isotropic three-body exchange interactions are scarcely explored and mostly used as a tool for constructing various exactly solvable one-dimensional models, although, generally speaking, such competing terms in generic Heisenberg spin systems can be expected to support specific quantum effects and phases. The Heisenberg chain constructed from alternating S=1 and sigma=1/2 site spins defines a realistic prototype model admitting extra three-body exchange terms. Based on numerical density-matrix renormalization group (DMRG) and exact diagonalization (ED) calculations, we demonstrate that the additional isotropic three-body terms stabilize a variety of partially-polarized states as well as two specific non-magnetic states including a critical spin-liquid phase controlled by two Gaussinal conformal theories as well as a critical nematic-like phase characterized by dominant quadrupolar S-spin fluctuations. Most of the established effects are related to some specific features of the three-body interaction such as the promotion of local collinear spin configurations and the enhanced tendency towards nearest-neighbor clustering of the spins. It may be expected that most of the predicted effects of the isotropic three-body interaction persist in higher space dimensions.

Proximity effect on spin-dependent conductance and thermopower of correlated quantum dots

We study the electric and thermoelectric transport properties of correlated quantum dots coupled to two ferromagnetic leads and one superconducting electrode. Transport through such hybrid devices depends on the interplay of ferromagnetic-contact-induced exchange field, superconducting proximity effect, and correlations leading to the Kondo effect. We consider the limit of large superconducting gap. The system can be then modeled by an effective Hamiltonian with a particle-nonconserving term describing the creation and annihilation of Cooper pairs. By means of the full density-matrix numerical renormalization group method, we analyze the behavior of electrical and thermal conductances, as well as the Seebeck coefficient as a function of temperature, dot level position, and strength of the coupling to the superconductor. We show that the exchange field may be considerably affected by the superconducting proximity effect and is generally a function of Andreev bound-state energies. Increasing the coupling to the superconductor may raise the Kondo temperature and partially restore the exchange-field-split Kondo resonance. The competition between ferromagnetic and superconducting proximity effects is reflected in the corresponding temperature and dot level dependence of both the linear conductance and the (spin) thermopower.

Ground-State Phase Diagram of S = 2 Heisenberg Chains with Alternating Single-Site Anisotropy

The ground-state phase diagram of $S=2$ antiferromagnetic Heisenberg chains with coexisting uniform and alternating single-site anisotropies is investigated by the numerical exact diagonalization and density matrix renormalization group methods. We find the Haldane, large-$D$, N\'eel, period-doubled N\'eel, gapless spin fluid, quantized and partial ferrimagnetic phases. The Haldane phase is limited to the close neighborhood of the isotropic point. Within numerical accuracy, the transition from the gapless spin-fluid phase to the period-doubled N\'eel phase is a direct transition. Nevertheless, the presence of a narrow spin-gap phase between these two phases is suggested on the basis of the low-energy effective theory. The ferrimagnetic ground state is present in a wide parameter range. This suggests the realization of magnetized single-chain magnets with a uniform spin magnitude by controlling the environment of each magnetic ion without introducing ferromagnetic interactions.

Analytical and Numerical Studies of Quantum Plateau State in One Alternating Heisenberg Chain

By using the coupled cluster method and the numerical density matrix renormalization group method, we investigate the properties of the quantum plateau state in an alternating Heisenberg spin chain. In the absence of a magnetic field, the results obtained from the coupled cluster method and density matrix renormalization group method both show that the ground state of the alternating chain is a gapped dimerized state when the parameter α exceeds a critical point αc. The value of the critical points can be determined precisely by a detailed investigation of the behavior of the spin gap. The system therefore possesses an m = 0 plateau state in the presence of a magnetic field when α > αc. In addition to the m = 0 plateau state, the results of density matrix renormalization group indicate that there is an m = 1/4 plateau state that occurs between two critical fields in the alternating chain if α > 1. The mechanism for the m = 1/4 plateau state and the critical behavior of the magnetization as one approaches this plateau state are also discussed.

Generation of chiral solitons in antiferromagnetic chains by a quantum quench

We analyze the time evolution of a magnetic excitation in a spin-1/2 antiferromagnetic Heisenberg chain after a quantum quench. By a proper modulation of the magnetic exchange coupling, we prepare a static soliton of total spin 1/2 as an initial spin state. Using bosonization and a numerical time dependent density matrix renormalization group algorithm, we show that the initial excitation evolves to a state composed of two counter-propagating chiral states, which interfere to yield <S^z> = 1/4 for each mode. We find that these dynamically generated states remain considerably stable as time evolution is carried out. We propose spin-Peierls materials and ultracold-atom systems as suitable experimental scenarios in which to conduct and observe this mechanism.

Self-trapping dynamics in a two-dimensional optical lattice

We describe theoretical models for the recent experimental observation of macroscopic quantum self-trapping (MQST) in the transverse dynamics of an ultracold bosonic gas in a two-dimensional lattice. The pure mean-field model based on the solution of coupled nonlinear equations fails to reproduce the experimental observations. It greatly overestimates the initial expansion rates at short times and predicts a slower expansion rate of the cloud at longer times. It also predicts the formation of a hole surrounded by a steep square fortlike barrier which was not observed in the experiment. An improved theoretical description based on a simplified truncated Wigner approximation (TWA), which adds phase and number fluctuations in the initial conditions, pushes the theoretical results closer to the experimental observations but fails to quantitatively reproduce them. An explanation of the delayed expansion as a consequence of a type of self-trapping mechanism, where quantum correlations suppress tunneling even when there are no density gradients, is discussed and supported by numerical time-dependent density matrix renormalization group (t-DMRG) calculations performed in a simplified two coupled tubes setup.

Spin thermoelectric effects in Kondo quantum dots coupled to ferromagnetic leads

Thermoelectric effects in transport through a quantum dot coupled to external ferromagnetic leads are investigated theoretically. The basic thermoelectric transport characteristics, such as thermopower, electronic contribution to the heat conductance, and the corresponding figure of merit, are calculated in the linear response regime by means of the density-matrix numerical renormalization group method. The case of a nonzero spin splitting of the electrochemical potential in the electrodes is also considered and the associated spin thermoelectric effects are analyzed. It is shown that the spin-dependent thermoelectric phenomena in the local moment regime depend generally on the exchange field induced by ferromagnetic contacts. In addition, the temperature dependence of the Seebeck coefficient is rather nontrivial, and depends on the spin polarization and spin relaxation in the leads. In the presence of ferromagnetic leads, the thermopower as a function of temperature may change sign more times than the thermopower for nonmagnetic leads. These changes can be thus used to determine the relevant Kondo behavior and Kondo energy scale in the system. Moreover, the effects of external magnetic field and different spin polarization of ferromagnetic leads are also analyzed.

Magnetotransport in the Kondo model with ferromagnetic exchange interaction

We consider the transport properties in an applied magnetic field of the spin S=1/2 Kondo model with ferromagnetic exchange coupling to electronic reservoirs, a description relevant for the strong coupling limit of underscreened spin S=1 Kondo impurities. Because the ferromagnetic Kondo interaction is marginally irrelevant, perturbative methods should prove accurate down to low energies. For the purpose of this study, we use a combination of Majorana diagrammatic theory with Density Matrix Numerical Renormalization Group simulations. In the standard case of antiferromagnetic Kondo exchange, we first show that our technique recovers previously obtained results for the T-matrix and spin relaxation at weak coupling (above the Kondo temperature). Considering then the ferromagnetic case, we demonstrate how the low-energy Kondo anomaly splits for arbitrary small values of the Zeeman energy, in contrast to fully screened Kondo impurities near the strong coupling Fermi liquid fixed point, and in agreement with recent experimental findings for spin S=1 molecular quantum dots.

Ground states of spin-12triangular antiferromagnets in a magnetic field

We use a combination of numerical density matrix renormalization group calculations and several analytical approaches to comprehensively study a simplified model for a spatially anisotropic spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ triangular lattice Heisenberg antiferromagnet: the three-leg triangular spin tube (TST). The model is described by three Heisenberg chains, with exchange constant $J$, coupled antiferromagnetically with exchange constant ${J}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ along the diagonals of the ladder system, with periodic boundary conditions in the shorter direction. Here, we determine the full phase diagram of this model as a function of both spatial anisotropy (between the isotropic and decoupled chain limits) and magnetic field. We find a rich phase diagram, which is remarkably dominated by quantum states: the phase corresponding to the classical ground state appears only in an exceedingly small region. Among the dominant phases generated by quantum effects are commensurate and incommensurate coplanar quasiordered states, which appear in the vicinity of the isotropic region for most fields, and in the high-field region for most anisotropies. The coplanar states, while not classical ground states, can at least be understood semiclassically. Even more strikingly, the largest region of phase space is occupied by a spin density wave phase, which has incommensurate collinear correlations along the field. This phase has no semiclassical analog, and may be ascribed to enhanced one-dimensional fluctuations due to frustration. Cutting across the phase diagram is a magnetization plateau, with a gap to all excitations and ``up-up-down'' spin order, with a quantized magnetization equal to $\frac{1}{3}$ of the saturation value. In the TST, this plateau extends almost but not quite to the decoupled chains limit. Most of the above features are expected to carry over to the two-dimensional system, which we also discuss. At low field, a dimerized phase appears, which is particular to the one-dimensional nature of the TST, and which can be understood from quantum Berry phase arguments.

SU(3) Anderson impurity model: A numerical renormalization group approach exploiting non-Abelian symmetries

We show how the density-matrix numerical renormalization group (DM-NRG) method can be used in combination with non-Abelian symmetries such as SU(N), where the decomposition of the direct product of two irreducible representations requires the use of a so-called outer multiplicity label. We apply this scheme to the SU(3) symmetrical Anderson model, for which we analyze the finite size spectrum, determine local fermionic, spin, superconducting, and trion spectral functions, and also compute the temperature dependence of the conductance. Our calculations reveal a rich Fermi liquid structure.

Topological invariants and interacting one-dimensional fermionic systems

We study one-dimensional, interacting, gapped fermionic systems described by variants of the Peierls-Hubbard model, and we characterize their phases via a topological invariant constructed out of their Green's functions. We demonstrate that the existence of topologically protected, zero-energy states at the boundaries of these systems can be tied to the value of the topological invariant, just like when working with the conventional, noninteracting topological insulators. We use a combination of analytical methods and the numerical density matrix renormalization group method to calculate the values of the topological invariant throughout the phase diagrams of these systems, thus deducing when topologically protected boundary states are present. We are also able to study topological states in spin systems because, deep in the Mott insulating regime, these fermionic systems reduce to spin chains. In this way, we associate the zero-energy states at the end of an antiferromagnetic spin-1 Heisenberg chain with a topological invariant equal to 2.