Some aspects of Affleck-Kennedy-Lieb-Tasaki models: tensor network, physical properties, spectral gap, deformation, and quantum computation

Abstract

Affleck, Kennedy, Lieb, and Tasaki constructed a spin-1 model that is isotropic in spins and possesses a provable finite gap above the ground state more than three decades ago. They also constructed models in two dimensions. Their construction has impacted subsequent research that is still active. In this review article, we review some selected the progresses, such as magnetic ordering of the AKLT models, emerging phases under deforming the AKLT Hamiltonians, symmetry-protected topological order in several AKLT models, their spectral gap, and applications for quantum computation.