Field-driven quantum phase transitions in a spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on an extended Lieb lattice

Abstract

The magnetic behavior of the spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on the extended Lieb lattice is examined in the presence of an external magnetic field. Using density matrix renormalization group calculations, we determine the zero-temperature magnetization curves and construct the ground-state phase diagram in the magnetic field vs. the interaction ratio plane. Depending on the interaction ratio, the zero-temperature magnetization curves exhibit field-driven quantum phase transitions between the gapped phases manifested as the intermediate plateaus at $1/5$ and $3/5$ of the saturation magnetization and a gapless spin-canted phase, in which the magnetization varies continuously with the applied magnetic field. Quantum Monte Carlo simulations reveal clear finite-temperatures signatures of the field-induced quantum phase transitions and the intermediate magnetization plateaus, while they provide no evidence for either continuous or discontinuous thermal phase transitions.