One dimensional SU($n$) chains with the same irreducible representation $\mathcal{R}$ at each site are considered. We determine which $\mathcal{R}$ admit low-energy mappings to a $\text{SU}(n)/[\text{U}(1)]^{n-1}$ flag manifold sigma model, and calculate the topological angles for such theories. Generically, these models will have fields with both linear and quadratic dispersion relations; for each $\mathcal{R}$, we determine how many fields of each dispersion type there are. Finally, for purely linearly-dispersing theories, we list the irreducible representations that also possess a $\mathbb{Z}_n$ symmetry that acts transitively on the $\text{SU}(n)/[\text{U}(1)]^{n-1}$ fields. Such SU($n$) chains have an 't Hooft anomaly in certain cases, allowing for a generalization of Haldane's conjecture to these novel representations. In particular, for even $n$ and for representations whose Young tableaux have two rows, of lengths $p_1$ and $p_2$ satisfying $p_1\not=p_2$, we predict a gapless ground state when $p_1+p_2$ is coprime with $n$. Otherwise, we predict a gapped ground state that necessarily has spontaneously broken symmetry if $p_1+p_2$ is not a multiple of $n$.
We study (1+1)-dimensional non-linear sigma models whose target space is the flag manifold $U(N)\over U(N_1)\times U(N_2)\cdots U(N_m)$, with a specific focus on the special case $U(N)/U(1)^{N}$. These generalize the well-known $\mathbb{CP}^{N-1}$ model. The general flag model exhibits several new elements that are not present in the special case of the $\mathbb{CP}^{N-1}$ model. It depends on more parameters, its global symmetry can be larger, and its 't Hooft anomalies can be more subtle. Our discussion based on symmetry and anomaly suggests that for certain choices of the integers $N_I$ and…
We examine topological terms of $(2+1)$d sigma models and their consequences in the light of classifications of invertible quantum field theories utilizing bordism groups. In particular, we study the possible topological terms for the $U(N)/U(1)^N$ flag-manifold sigma model in detail. We argue that the Hopf-like term is absent, contrary to the expectation from a nontrivial homotopy group $π_3(U(N)/U(1)^N)=\mathbb{Z}$, and thus skyrmions cannot become anyons with arbitrary statistics. Instead, we find that there exist ${N(N-1)\over 2}-1$ types of Chern-Simons terms, some of which can turn skyrm…
This review is dedicated to two-dimensional sigma models with flag manifold target spaces, which are generalizations of the familiar $CP^{n-1}$ and Grassmannian models. They naturally arise in the description of continuum limits of spin chains, and their phase structure is sensitive to the values of the topological angles, which are determined by the representations of spins in the chain. Gapless phases can in certain cases be explained by the presence of discrete 't Hooft anomalies in the continuum theory. We also discuss integrable flag manifold sigma models, which provide a generalization o…
The existence of higher-spin quantum conserved currents in two dimensions guarantees quantum integrability. We revisit the question of whether classically-conserved local higher-spin currents in two-dimensional sigma models survive quantization. We define an integrability index $\mathcal{I}(J)$ for each spin $J$, with the property that $\mathcal{I}(J)$ is a lower bound on the number of quantum conserved currents of spin $J$. In particular, a positive value for the index establishes the existence of quantum conserved currents. For a general coset model, with or without extra discrete symmetries…
We consider the two-dimensional $\rm O(3)$ non-linear sigma model with topological term using a lattice regularization introduced by Shankar and Read [Nucl.Phys. B336 (1990), 457], that is suitable for studying the strong coupling regime. When this lattice model is quantized, the coefficient $θ$ of the topological term is quantized as $θ=2πs$, with $s$ integer or half-integer. We study in detail the relationship between the low energy behaviour of this theory and the one-dimensional spin-$s$ Heisenberg model. We generalize the analysis to sigma models with other symmetries.
We generalize the nonlinear sigma model treatment of quantum spin chains to cases including ferromagnetic bonds. When these bonds are strong enough, the classical ground state is no longer the standard Neel order and we present an extension of the known formalism to deal with this situation. We study the alternating ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic spin chain introduced by Hida. The smooth crossover between decoupled dimers and the Haldane phase is semi-quantitatively reproduced. We study also a spin ladder with diagonal exchange couplings that interpolates between the gapped phase of the two-l…
We derive a non-linear sigma model (NLSM) generally representing antiferromagnetic Heisenberg spin chains with inhomogeneous spin magnitudes and inhomogeneous nearest-neighbor exchange constants arrayed in finite periods. Only a restriction is that the average of spin magnitudes on one sublattice is the same as that on the other sublattice. The NLSM gives the gapless condition explicitly written by the spin magnitudes and the exchange constants. We apply this gapless condition to several cases including systems with impurities.
We discuss the $SU(3)/[U(1)\times U(1)]$ nonlinear sigma model in 1+1D and, more broadly, its linearized counterparts. Such theories can be expressed as $U(1)\times U(1)$ gauge theories and therefore allow for two topological $θ$-angles. These models provide a field theoretic description of the $SU(3)$ chains. We show that, for particular values of $θ$-angles, a global symmetry group of such systems has a 't Hooft anomaly, which manifests itself as an inability to gauge the global symmetry group. By applying anomaly matching, the ground-state properties can be severely constrained. The anomaly…
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…
The promotion of collinear classical spin configurations as well as the enhanced tendency towards nearest-neighbor clustering of the quantum spins are typical features of the frustrating isotropic three-body exchange interactions in Heisenberg spin systems. Based on numerical density-matrix renormalization group calculations, we demonstrate that these extra interactions in the Heisenberg chain constructed from alternating S=3/2 and sigma=1/2 site spins can generate numerous specific quantum spin states, including some partially-polarized ferrimagnetic states as well as a doubly-degenerate non-…
We examine a periodic mixed spin chain with spin magnitudes 1/2 and 1 which are arrayed as 1/2-1/2-1-1. The three independent parameters are ratios of the four exchange couplings. We determine phase boundaries in the parameter space by using the gapless condition which was previously derived by mapping a general inhomogeneous spin chain to the nonlinear sigma model. We find two gapless boundaries separating three disordered phases. The features of the phases are explained in terms of singlet clusters.
In the present paper we revisit the so-called Haldane limit, i.e. a particular continuum limit, which leads from a spin chain to a sigma model. We use the coherent state formulation of the path integral to reduce the problem to a semiclassical one, which leads us to the observation that the Haldane limit is closely related to a Lagrangian embedding into the classical phase space of the spin chain. Using this property, we find a spin chain whose limit produces a relativistic sigma model with target space the manifold of complete flags U(N)/U(1)^N. We discuss possible other future applications o…
We introduce and motivate the study of quantum spin chains on a one-dimensional lattice. We classify the varieties of methods that have been used to study these models into three categories, - a) exact methods to study specific models b) field theories to describe fluctuations about the classical ordered phases and c) numerical methods. We then discuss the $J_1$-$J_2$-$δ$ model in some detail and end with a few comments on open problems.
A continuum limit treatment of planar spin chains with arbitrary S is presented. The difference between integer and half-integer spins is emphasised. While isotropic half-integer spin chains are gapless,and have power-law decay of correlations at T = 0 with exponent eta = 1, integer spin systems have a singlet ground state with a gap for S=1 excitations and exponential decay of correlations. The easy-plane to easy-axis transition is described. Note: this is a verbatim transcription of ILL preprint SP-81/95, which is cited in a number of places, but was rejected for publication in 1981, and rem…
We construct spin chains that describe relativistic sigma-models in the continuum limit, using symplectic geometry as a main tool. The target space can be an arbitrary complex flag manifold, and we find universal expressions for the metric and theta-term.
We apply field theory methods to $\mbox{SU}(3)$ chains in the symmetric representation, with $p$ boxes in the Young tableau, mapping them into a flag manifold non-linear $σ$-model with a topological angle $θ=2πp/3$. Generalizing the Haldane conjecture, we argue that the models are gapped for $p=3m$ but gapless for $p=3m\pm 1$ (for integer $m$), corresponding to a massless phase of the $σ$-model at $θ=\pm 2π/3$. We confirm this with Monte Carlo calculations on the $σ$-model.
Asymptotic freedom, lost: Complex conformal field theory in the two-dimensional $O(N>2)$ nonlinear sigma model and its realization in Heisenberg spin chains
We show that the spin chain/ladder compound La_3Sr_3Ca_8Cu_24O_41 is an insulator with hopping transport along the chains. In the temperature range 35 - 280 K, DC conductivity sigma_{DC}(T) follows Mott's law of variable-range hopping conduction; the frequency dependence has the form sigma(ν, T) = σ_{DC}(T) + A(T)ν^{s}, where s \approx 1. The conduction mechanism changes from variable-range hopping to nearest-neighbor hopping around T_{c} =300 K. The chain array thus behaves like a one-dimensional disordered system. Disorder is due to random structural distortions of chains induced by irregula…
A recently derived general formula and older numerical results are combined to deduce the behavior of the transverse correlation exponent for the spin-1 Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain in an applied magnetic field: eta = 1/2 - (2.0)m +O(m^2), where m is the magnetization per site. A comparison with the O(3) non-linear sigma-model is also made.
A new method of writing down the path integral for spin-1 Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chain is introduced. In place of the conventional coherent state basis that leads to the non-linear sigma-model, we use a new basis called the fluctuating matrix product states (fMPS) which embodies inter-site entanglement from the outset. It forms an overcomplete set spanning the entire Hilbert space of the spin-1 chain. Saddle-point analysis performed for the bilinear-biquadratic spin model predicts Affeck-Kennedy-Lieb-Tasaki (AKLT) state as the ground state in the vicinity of the AKLT Hamiltonian. Quadrat…
We present a theoretical analysis of the properties of low-dimensional quantum antiferromagnets in applied magnetic fields. In a nonlinear sigma model description, we use a spin stiffness analysis, a 1/N expansion, and a renormalization group approach to describe the broken-symmetry regimes of finite magnetization, and, in cases of most interest, a low-field regime where symmetry is restored by quantum fluctuations. We compute the magnetization, critical fields, spin correlation functions, and decay exponents accessible by nuclear magnetic resonance experiments. The model is relevant to many s…
We introduce the concept of super universality in quantum Hall and spin liquids which has emerged from previous studies. It states that all the fundamental features of the quantum Hall effect are generically displayed as general topological features of the $θ$ parameter in nonlinear sigma models in two dimensions. To establish super universality in spin liquids we revisit the mapping by Haldane who argued that the anti ferromagnetic Heisenberg spin $s$ chain is effectively described by the O(3) nonlinear sigma model with a $θ$ term. By combining the path integral representation for the dimeriz…
We study the low-energy properties of a Heisenberg spin-1/2 zigzag ladder with different exchange constants on the two chains. Using a nonlinear sigma-model field theory and abelian bosonization, we find that the excitations are gapless, with a finite spin wave velocity, if the values of the chain exchanges are small. If the chain exchanges are large, the system is gapped, and the energy spectra of the kink and antikink excitations are different from each other.
There was a slight error in calculating the nonlinear sigma-model prediction for the 2-magnon scattering continuum shown in Fig. 2 of cond-mat/0010049, and Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 87}, 017202 (2001). Present erratum explains what was incorrect, and shows a corrected version of the figure. The correction is minor and does not affect main conclusions drawn in the original paper.
Zero temperature phase diagram of XXZ spin chain in external magnetic field is investigated at low energies using path integral approach.It has been shown by spin wave analysis and then by nonlinear sigma model transformation that below some critical field the system undergoes quantum Kosterlitz-Thouless phase transition.Above that critical field for low anisotropies the system is saturated while at strong anisotropy the system has Ising antiferromagnetic order.
