Phase transition of an SU(3) symmetric spin-1 chain

Abstract

We investigate a phase transition in an SU(3) symmetric spin-1 chain. To study this transition, we numerically diagonalize an SU(3) symmetric Hamiltonian combining the Uimin-Lai-Sutherland (ULS) model Hamiltonian with the Hamiltonian of the exact trimer ground state (Z3 symmetry breaking). Our numerical results are discussed on the basis of the conformal field theory (CFT) and the renormalization group (RG). We then show the phase transition between a trimer liquid phase (massless, no long range order) and a trimer phase (spontaneously Z3 symmetry breaking). Next, we find the central charge c = 2 in the massless phase, and c < 2 in the Z3 symmetry broken phase. From these results, we identify the universality class of the critical trimer liquid phase, as well as the phase boundary between these two phases.