Heisenberg spin chain with random-sign couplings

Abstract

We study the 1D quantum Heisenberg chain with randomly ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic couplings (a model previously studied by approximate strong-disorder RG). We find that, at least for sufficiently large spin $S$, the ground state has ``spin glass'' order. The spin waves on top of this state have the dynamical exponent ${z=3/2}$, intermediate between the values $z=1$ of the antiferromagnet and ${z=2}$ of the ferromagnet. DMRG simulations are in good agreement with the analytical results for spins ${S=1}$ and ${S=3/2}$. The case ${S=1/2}$ shows large finite size effects: we suggest that this case is also ordered, but with a small ordered moment.