Deconfined Quantum Criticality

At the Néel-to-VBS transition in 2D quantum magnets, fractionalized spinon excitations deconfine at the critical point. Monopoles in the emergent U(1) gauge field drive the transition between orders.

Controls

Coupling g 0.50 Monopole fugacity 0.10 Temperature T 0.20

Néel order |m|: —

VBS order |d|: —

Phase: —

Red arrows: Néel (AFM) order.
Blue dimers: VBS order.
g < g_c: Néel phase.
g > g_c: VBS phase.
At g_c: deconfined spinons.