Quantum-Critical Behavior in a Two-Layer Antiferromagnet

Abstract

We analyze quantum Monte Carlo data in the vicinity of the quantum transition between a Neel state and a quantum paramagnet in a two-layer, square lattice spin 1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet. The real-space correlation function and the universal amplitude ratio of the structure factor and the dynamic susceptibility show clear evidence of quantum critical behavior at low temperatures. The numerical results are in good quantitative agreement with $1/N$ calculations for the $O(N)$ non-linear sigma model. A discrepancy, reported earlier, between the critical properties of the antiferromagnet and the sigma model is resolved. We also discuss the values of prefactors of the dynamic susceptibility and the structure factor in a single layer antiferromagnet at low $T$.