Ground-state properties of generalized Heisenberg chains with composite spin

Abstract

We consider in detail the ground-state properties of recently introduced generalized Heisenberg models which can have several spin operators at each site and which interpolate smoothly between Heisenberg chains of different spin lengths. We show that the mappings to field-theoretical models used to describe the critical properties of the Heisenberg model remain valid in the composite-spin model. In models which interpolate between the spin-(1/2 and the spin-1 behavior, these mappings predict an extended singlet phase around the isotropic antiferromagnetic point whenever the models move away from the spin-(1/2 point. Numerical calculations on finite chains seem to confirm the existence of this singlet phase. The phase boundaries are, however, found to be independent of the interpolation parameter, and thus in disagreement with the predictions of the continuum theory, indicating its limitation.