Exact ground states of spin-2 chains

Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität zu Köln - 50937 Köln, Germany

Received: 3 May 2002
Accepted: 21 June 2002

Abstract

We use the matrix product approach to construct all optimum ground states of general anisotropic spin-2 chains with nearest-neighbour interactions and common symmetries. These states are exact ground states of the model and their properties depend on up to three parameters. We find three different antiferromagnetic Haldane phases, one weak antiferromagnetic and one weak ferromagnetic phase. The antiferromagnetic phases can be described as spin liquids with exponentially decaying correlation functions. The variety of phases found with the matrix product ansatz also gives insight into the behaviour of spin chains with arbitrary higher spins.