Realization of Wess-Zumino-Witten transitions with levels $k=6$ and $k=4$ in a frustrated spin-3 chain

Abstract

We study dimerization transitions in a frustrated spin-3 chain with next-nearest neighbor and three-site interactions. We show that two independent coupling constants of the model are sufficient to fine-tune the system to the critical point in the Wess-Zumino-Witten SU(2)$_6$ universality class. This critical point appears as the end point of an extended SU(2)$_4$ critical line. This implies that the renormalization group flow lead to the critical theory with the largest level $k$ such that the number of relevant operators is reduced by one and the parity of the level is preserved. Furthermore, we argue that due to the presence of marginal operator there is only one point in the SU(2)$_6$ universality class. In addition, we report the appearance of non-magnetic Ising transition between the topologically trivial uniform and dimerized phases. This transition takes place within the singlet sector, while magnetic gap remains open.