Treatment of singlets in the Hubbard model

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the treatment of singlets in the Hubbard model, specifically in the context of quantum dot configurations. Two methods for solving eigenstates of a double dot with two electrons in a singlet configuration are presented: one using all possible combinations of states and the other grouping single occupation states into a singlet state. Both methods yield the same eigenenergies, but the first method introduces additional states that complicate the analysis for larger systems. The effective Hamiltonian method is recommended for projecting onto the subspace of lower energy states in the large U limit.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Hubbard model, specifically the Hamiltonian formulation.
  • Familiarity with quantum mechanics concepts such as eigenstates and spin configurations.
  • Knowledge of matrix representation of Hamiltonians in quantum systems.
  • Experience with effective Hamiltonian methods in quantum many-body physics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the effective Hamiltonian method for projecting onto lower energy states in the Hubbard model.
  • Explore the implications of the large U limit on eigenstate configurations in quantum dot systems.
  • Investigate the differences between spin singlet and spin triplet states in quantum mechanics.
  • Learn about eigenvalue problems in quantum systems and their significance in determining ground states.
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Researchers and practitioners in condensed matter physics, quantum computing, and anyone studying the Hubbard model and its applications in quantum dot systems.

supernano
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I'm using the general Hubbard model (H = U \sum n_{i,\uparrow} n_{i,\downarrow} - t \sum (c^{\dagger}_{i,\sigma} c_{i+1,\sigma} + c^{\dagger}_{i+1,\sigma} c_{i,\sigma})) to solve for eigenstates of simple quantum dot configurations.
For the case of a double dot with two electrons in singlet configuration, I can solve it in two ways:

(1). Using all possible combination of states:
| \psi \rangle = a_1 | \uparrow\downarrow , 0 \rangle + a_2 | \uparrow , \downarrow \rangle + a_3 | \downarrow , \uparrow \rangle + a_4 | 0 , \uparrow\downarrow \rangle
with a matrix Hamiltonian H = \left[ <br /> \begin{array}{cccc} U &amp; -t &amp; -t &amp; 0 \\ -t &amp; 0 &amp; 0 &amp; -t \\ -t &amp; 0 &amp; 0 &amp; -t \\ 0 &amp; -t &amp; -t &amp; U \end{array} \right]

(2). Grouping the single occupation states into one singlet state:
| \psi \rangle = a_1 | \uparrow\downarrow , 0 \rangle + a_2 / \sqrt{2} ( | \uparrow , \downarrow \rangle + | \downarrow , \uparrow \rangle ) + a_3 | 0 , \uparrow\downarrow \rangle
with H = \left[ <br /> \begin{array}{cccc} U &amp; -\sqrt{2}t &amp; 0 \\ -\sqrt{2}t &amp; 0 &amp; -\sqrt{2}t \\ 0 &amp; -\sqrt{2}t &amp; U \end{array} \right]

The two solutions return the same eigenenergies and states, except (1). has an additional state {0,-1,1,0} with eigenvalue {0}.

For this example it's not so important, but if I do the same on a triple quantum dot, I get more additional eigenstates for method (1). The eigenvalues of these additional states correspond to the eigenvalues I get if I model the system with parallel spins.

For larger systems, this starts to matter with regards to which eigenstate is the lowest energy state, and to replicate ground states in literature I would have to use (2). So what am I doing wrong in (1).?
 
The state you have written for 2 is not a spin singlet, it is a spin triplet. The triplet is higher in energy, the ground state should be a spin singlet. If you carry out 1. The triplet will have a zero eigenvalue which is correct.

However If you are considering the large U limit the two doubly occupied states are much higher in energy than the others, so you would want to use the effective Hamiltonian method to project onto the subspace of the lower energy states.
 

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