Variational approach to theXXZspin-1 linear chain: Elementary excitations and Haldane conjecture

Abstract

The XXZ spin-1 chain is studied by means of a physically motivated variational approach. An effective Hamiltonian for the dynamics of spin-0 defects in antiferromagnetic environments (domain walls) is obtained, and its ground-state properties are analyzed. An order-disorder transition is found with critical behavior corresponding to the 2D Ising model universality class, in complete agreement with Haldane conjecture. The approximations involved in this variational scheme are carefully tested using known Monte Carlo results. In particular, excellent agreement with the recently calculated excited states at the Heisenberg (isotropic) point is found, clarifying the nature of these excitations.