Meng Cheng
Current Organizations / Institutes
The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article
Research Subjects
Meng Cheng has a total of 39 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
- Zi Yang Meng
The University of Hong Kong
14 shared publications Yan-Cheng Wang
Beihang Hangzhou Innovation Institute Yuhang
6 shared publicationsJiarui Zhao
University of Hong Kong
5 shared publicationsZheng Yan
Department of Physics and HKU-UCAS Joint Institute of Theoretical and Computational Physics The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam Road Hong Kong SAR China
5 shared publicationsBin-Bin Chen
Department of Physics and HKU-UCAS Joint Institute of Theoretical and Computational Physics The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam Road Hong Kong SAR China
4 shared publications- Chenjie Wang
Department of Physics and HK Institute of Quantum Science & Technology, The University of Hong Kong 3 , Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
3 shared publications
Latest Publications
- Open Access
Sudden change in entanglement Hamiltonian: Phase diagram of an Ising entanglement Hamiltonian
The form of the entanglement Hamiltonian varies with the parameters of the original system. Whether there is a singularity is the key problem for demonstrating/negating the universality of the relation between the entanglement spectrum and edge energy spectrum. We carefully study the phase diagram of a 1D Ising entanglement Hamiltonian as an example to clarify the long-standing controversy of the general relation between the entanglement Hamiltonian and original Hamiltonian. Interestingly, even if the singularities indeed exist, the Li-Haldane-Poilblanc conjecture, i.e., the general relation between the entanglement spectrum and edge energy spectrum, seemingly still holds.
Open AccessSudden change in entanglement Hamiltonian: Phase diagram of an Ising entanglement Hamiltonian
The form of the entanglement Hamiltonian varies with the parameters of the original system. Whether there is a singularity is the key problem for demonstrating/negating the universality of the relation between the entanglement spectrum and edge energy spectrum. We carefully study the phase diagram of a 1D Ising entanglement Hamiltonian as an example to clarify the long-standing controversy of the general relation between the entanglement Hamiltonian and original Hamiltonian. Interestingly, even if the singularities indeed exist, the Li-Haldane-Poilblanc conjecture, i.e., the general relation between the entanglement spectrum and edge energy spectrum, seemingly still holds.
- Open AccessChiral spin liquid in a generalized Kitaev honeycomb model with $\mathbb{Z}_4$ 1-form symmetryWe explore a large $N$ generalization of the Kitaev model on the honeycomb lattice with a simple nearest-neighbor interacting Hamiltonian. In particular, we focus on the $\mathbb{Z}_4$ case with isotropic couplings, which is characterized by an exact $\mathbb{Z}_4$ one-form symmetry. Guided by symmetry considerations and an analytical study in the single chain limit, on the infinitely long cylinders, we find the model is gapped with an extremely short correlation length. Combined with the $\mathbb{Z}_4$ one-form symmetry, this suggests the model is topologically ordered. To pin down the nature of this phase, we further study the model on both finite and infinitely long strips, where we consistently find a $c=1$ conformal field theory (CFT) description, suggesting the existence of chiral edge modes described by a free boson CFT. Further evidence is found by studying the dimer correlators on infinitely long strips. We find the dimer correlation functions show a power-law decay with the exponent close to 2 on the boundary of the strip, while decay much faster in the bulk. Combined with the topological entanglement entropy extracted from cylinder geometry, we identify the spin liquid is chiral and supports a $\mathrm{U}(1)_{-8}$ chiral topological order. A unified perspective for all $\mathbb{Z}_N$ type Kitaev models is also discussed.Open AccessChiral spin liquid in a generalized Kitaev honeycomb model with $\mathbb{Z}_4$ 1-form symmetryWe explore a large $N$ generalization of the Kitaev model on the honeycomb lattice with a simple nearest-neighbor interacting Hamiltonian. In particular, we focus on the $\mathbb{Z}_4$ case with isotropic couplings, which is characterized by an exact $\mathbb{Z}_4$ one-form symmetry. Guided by symmetry considerations and an analytical study in the single chain limit, on the infinitely long cylinders, we find the model is gapped with an extremely short correlation length. Combined with the $\mathbb{Z}_4$ one-form symmetry, this suggests the model is topologically ordered. To pin down the nature of this phase, we further study the model on both finite and infinitely long strips, where we consistently find a $c=1$ conformal field theory (CFT) description, suggesting the existence of chiral edge modes described by a free boson CFT. Further evidence is found by studying the dimer correlators on infinitely long strips. We find the dimer correlation functions show a power-law decay with the exponent close to 2 on the boundary of the strip, while decay much faster in the bulk. Combined with the topological entanglement entropy extracted from cylinder geometry, we identify the spin liquid is chiral and supports a $\mathrm{U}(1)_{-8}$ chiral topological order. A unified perspective for all $\mathbb{Z}_N$ type Kitaev models is also discussed.
- Open Access
- 11 July 2024
- Published by Stichting SciPost in SciPost Physics
- Vol. 17 (1) , 010
Extracting subleading corrections in entanglement entropy at quantum phase transitions
We systematically investigate the finite size scaling behavior of the Rényi entanglement entropy (EE) of several representative 2d quantum many-body systems between a subregion and its complement, with smooth boundaries as well as boundaries with corners. In order to reveal the subleading correction, we investigate the quantity “subtracted EE” S^s(l) = S(2l) - 2S(l) S s ( l ) = S ( 2 l ) − 2 S ( l ) for each model, which is designed to cancel out the leading perimeter law. We find that (1) for a spin-1/2 model on a 2d square lattice whose ground state is the Neel order, the coefficient of the logarithmic correction to the perimeter law is consistent with the prediction based on the Goldstone modes; (2) for the (2+1)d ( 2 + 1 ) d O(3) Wilson-Fisher quantum critical point (QCP), realized with the bilayer antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model, a logarithmic subleading correction exists when there is sharp corner of the subregion, but for subregion with a smooth boundary our data suggests the absence of the logarithmic correction to the best of our efforts; (3) for the (2+1)d ( 2 + 1 ) d SU(2) J-Q _2 2 and J-Q _3 3 model for the deconfined quantum critical point (DQCP), we find a logarithmic correction for the EE even with smooth boundary.
- 11 July 2024
- Published by Stichting SciPost in SciPost Physics
- Vol. 17 (1) , 010
Open AccessExtracting subleading corrections in entanglement entropy at quantum phase transitions
We systematically investigate the finite size scaling behavior of the Rényi entanglement entropy (EE) of several representative 2d quantum many-body systems between a subregion and its complement, with smooth boundaries as well as boundaries with corners. In order to reveal the subleading correction, we investigate the quantity “subtracted EE” S^s(l) = S(2l) - 2S(l) S s ( l ) = S ( 2 l ) − 2 S ( l ) for each model, which is designed to cancel out the leading perimeter law. We find that (1) for a spin-1/2 model on a 2d square lattice whose ground state is the Neel order, the coefficient of the logarithmic correction to the perimeter law is consistent with the prediction based on the Goldstone modes; (2) for the (2+1)d ( 2 + 1 ) d O(3) Wilson-Fisher quantum critical point (QCP), realized with the bilayer antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model, a logarithmic subleading correction exists when there is sharp corner of the subregion, but for subregion with a smooth boundary our data suggests the absence of the logarithmic correction to the best of our efforts; (3) for the (2+1)d ( 2 + 1 ) d SU(2) J-Q _2 2 and J-Q _3 3 model for the deconfined quantum critical point (DQCP), we find a logarithmic correction for the EE even with smooth boundary.
- Open AccessChiral spin liquid in a $\mathbb{Z}_3$ Kitaev modelWe study a $\mathbb{Z}_3$ Kitaev model on the honeycomb lattice with nearest neighbor interactions. Based on matrix product state simulations and symmetry considerations, we find evidence that, with ferromagnetic isotropic couplings, the model realizes a chiral spin liquid, characterized by a possible $\mathrm{U}(1)_{12}$ chiral topological order. This is supported by simulations on both cylinder and strip geometries. On infinitely long cylinders with various widths, scaling analysis of entanglement entropy and maximal correlation length suggests that the model has a gapped 2D bulk. The topological entanglement entropy is extracted and found to be in agreement with the $\mathrm{U}(1)_{12}$ topological order. On infinitely long strips with moderate widths, we find the model is critical with a central charge consistent with the chiral edge theory of the $\mathrm{U}(1)_{12}$ topological phase. We conclude by discussing several open questions.Open AccessChiral spin liquid in a $\mathbb{Z}_3$ Kitaev modelWe study a $\mathbb{Z}_3$ Kitaev model on the honeycomb lattice with nearest neighbor interactions. Based on matrix product state simulations and symmetry considerations, we find evidence that, with ferromagnetic isotropic couplings, the model realizes a chiral spin liquid, characterized by a possible $\mathrm{U}(1)_{12}$ chiral topological order. This is supported by simulations on both cylinder and strip geometries. On infinitely long cylinders with various widths, scaling analysis of entanglement entropy and maximal correlation length suggests that the model has a gapped 2D bulk. The topological entanglement entropy is extracted and found to be in agreement with the $\mathrm{U}(1)_{12}$ topological order. On infinitely long strips with moderate widths, we find the model is critical with a central charge consistent with the chiral edge theory of the $\mathrm{U}(1)_{12}$ topological phase. We conclude by discussing several open questions.
- 19 July 2023
- Published by American Physical Society (APS) in Physical Review B
- Vol. 108 (4) , 045133
Classification and construction of interacting fractonic higher-order topological phases
The notion of higher-order topological phases can have interesting generalizations to systems with subsystem symmetries that exhibit fractonic dynamics for charged excitations. In this work, we systematically study the higher-order topological phases protected by a combination of subsystem symmetries and ordinary global symmetries in two and three-dimensional interacting boson systems, with some interacting fermionic examples. In particular, we discover some important results, including (i) an Abelian subsystem symmetry group that does not allow for a nontrivial higher-order symmetry-protected topological phase in 2D without global symmetry. (ii) inhomogeneous subsystem symmetries do not allow for that either.
- 19 July 2023
- Published by American Physical Society (APS) in Physical Review B
- Vol. 108 (4) , 045133
Classification and construction of interacting fractonic higher-order topological phases
The notion of higher-order topological phases can have interesting generalizations to systems with subsystem symmetries that exhibit fractonic dynamics for charged excitations. In this work, we systematically study the higher-order topological phases protected by a combination of subsystem symmetries and ordinary global symmetries in two and three-dimensional interacting boson systems, with some interacting fermionic examples. In particular, we discover some important results, including (i) an Abelian subsystem symmetry group that does not allow for a nontrivial higher-order symmetry-protected topological phase in 2D without global symmetry. (ii) inhomogeneous subsystem symmetries do not allow for that either.
- Open Access
Fermion disorder operator at Gross-Neveu and deconfined quantum criticalities
The fermion disorder operator has been shown to reveal the entanglement information in 1D Luttinger liquids and 2D free and interacting Fermi and non-Fermi liquids emerging at quantum critical points(QCP). Here we study, by means of large-scale quantum Monte Carlo simulation, the scaling behavior of disorder operator in correlated Dirac systems. We first demonstrate the logarithmic scaling behavior of the disorder operator at the Gross-Neveu (GN) chiral Ising and Heisenberg QCPs, where consistent conformal field theory (CFT) content of the GN-QCP in its coefficient is found. Then we study a 2D monopole free deconfined quantum critical point (DQCP) realized between a quantum-spin Hall insulator and a superconductor. Our data point to negative values of the logarithmic coefficients such that the DQCP does not correspond to a unitary CFT. Density matrix renormalization group calculations of the disorder operator on a 1D DQCP model also detect emergent continuous symmetries.
Open AccessFermion disorder operator at Gross-Neveu and deconfined quantum criticalities
The fermion disorder operator has been shown to reveal the entanglement information in 1D Luttinger liquids and 2D free and interacting Fermi and non-Fermi liquids emerging at quantum critical points(QCP). Here we study, by means of large-scale quantum Monte Carlo simulation, the scaling behavior of disorder operator in correlated Dirac systems. We first demonstrate the logarithmic scaling behavior of the disorder operator at the Gross-Neveu (GN) chiral Ising and Heisenberg QCPs, where consistent conformal field theory (CFT) content of the GN-QCP in its coefficient is found. Then we study a 2D monopole free deconfined quantum critical point (DQCP) realized between a quantum-spin Hall insulator and a superconductor. Our data point to negative values of the logarithmic coefficients such that the DQCP does not correspond to a unitary CFT. Density matrix renormalization group calculations of the disorder operator on a 1D DQCP model also detect emergent continuous symmetries.
- Top Cited Papers
- 28 June 2023
- Published by American Physical Society (APS) in Physical Review Letters
- Vol. 130 (26) , 266501
Fermion Disorder Operator at Gross-Neveu and Deconfined Quantum Criticalities
The fermion disorder operator has been shown to reveal the entanglement information in 1D Luttinger liquids and 2D free and interacting Fermi and non-Fermi liquids emerging at quantum critical points (QCPs) [W. Jiang et al., arXiv:2209.07103]. Here we study, by means of large-scale quantum Monte Carlo simulation, the scaling behavior of the disorder operator in correlated Dirac systems. We first demonstrate the logarithmic scaling behavior of the disorder operator at the Gross-Neveu (GN) chiral Ising and Heisenberg QCPs, where consistent conformal field theory (CFT) content of the GN-QCP in its coefficient is found. Then we study a 2D monopole-free deconfined quantum critical point (DQCP) realized between a quantum-spin Hall insulator and a superconductor. Our data point to negative values of the logarithmic coefficients such that the DQCP does not correspond to a unitary CFT. Density matrix renormalization group calculations of the disorder operator on a 1D DQCP model also detect emergent continuous symmetries.
- 28 June 2023
- Published by American Physical Society (APS) in Physical Review Letters
- Vol. 130 (26) , 266501
Top Cited PapersFermion Disorder Operator at Gross-Neveu and Deconfined Quantum Criticalities
The fermion disorder operator has been shown to reveal the entanglement information in 1D Luttinger liquids and 2D free and interacting Fermi and non-Fermi liquids emerging at quantum critical points (QCPs) [W. Jiang et al., arXiv:2209.07103]. Here we study, by means of large-scale quantum Monte Carlo simulation, the scaling behavior of the disorder operator in correlated Dirac systems. We first demonstrate the logarithmic scaling behavior of the disorder operator at the Gross-Neveu (GN) chiral Ising and Heisenberg QCPs, where consistent conformal field theory (CFT) content of the GN-QCP in its coefficient is found. Then we study a 2D monopole-free deconfined quantum critical point (DQCP) realized between a quantum-spin Hall insulator and a superconductor. Our data point to negative values of the logarithmic coefficients such that the DQCP does not correspond to a unitary CFT. Density matrix renormalization group calculations of the disorder operator on a 1D DQCP model also detect emergent continuous symmetries.
- Top Cited PapersOpen Access
- 14 December 2022
- Published by Stichting SciPost in SciPost Physics
- Vol. 13 (6) , 123
Scaling of the disorder operator at deconfined quantum criticality
We study scaling behavior of the disorder parameter, defined as the expectation value of a symmetry transformation applied to a finite region, at the deconfined quantum critical point in (2+1)d in the J-Q_3 J − Q 3 model via large-scale quantum Monte Carlo simulations. We show that the disorder parameter for U(1) spin rotation symmetry exhibits perimeter scaling with a logarithmic correction associated with sharp corners of the region, as generally expected for a conformally-invariant critical point. However, for large rotation angle the universal coefficient of the logarithmic corner correction becomes negative, which is not allowed in any unitary conformal field theory. We also extract the current central charge from the small rotation angle scaling, whose value is much smaller than that of the free theory.
- 14 December 2022
- Published by Stichting SciPost in SciPost Physics
- Vol. 13 (6) , 123
Top Cited PapersOpen AccessScaling of the disorder operator at deconfined quantum criticality
We study scaling behavior of the disorder parameter, defined as the expectation value of a symmetry transformation applied to a finite region, at the deconfined quantum critical point in (2+1)d in the J-Q_3 J − Q 3 model via large-scale quantum Monte Carlo simulations. We show that the disorder parameter for U(1) spin rotation symmetry exhibits perimeter scaling with a logarithmic correction associated with sharp corners of the region, as generally expected for a conformally-invariant critical point. However, for large rotation angle the universal coefficient of the logarithmic corner correction becomes negative, which is not allowed in any unitary conformal field theory. We also extract the current central charge from the small rotation angle scaling, whose value is much smaller than that of the free theory.
- Open Access
Topological Disorder Parameter
We introduce a many-body topological invariant, called the topological disorder parameter (TDP), to characterize gapped quantum phases with global internal symmetry in (2+1)d. TDP is defined as the constant correction that appears in the ground state expectation value of a partial symmetry transformation applied to a connected spatial region $M$, the absolute value of which scales generically as $\exp(-\alpha l+\gamma)$ where $l$ is the perimeter of $M$ and $\gamma$ is the TDP. Motivated by a topological quantum field theory interpretation of the operator, we show that $e^\gamma$ can be related to the quantum dimension of the symmetry defect, and provide a general formula for $\gamma$ when the entanglement Hamiltonian of the topological phase can be described by a (1+1)d conformal field theory (CFT). A special case of TDP is equivalent to the topological R\'enyi entanglement entropy when the symmetry is the cyclic permutation of the replica of the gapped phase. We then investigate several examples of lattice models of topological phases, both analytically and numerically, in particular when the assumption of having a CFT edge theory is not satisfied. We also consider an example of partial translation symmetry in Wen's plaquette model and show that the result can be understood using the edge CFT. Our results establish a new tool to detect quantum topological order.Open AccessTopological Disorder Parameter
We introduce a many-body topological invariant, called the topological disorder parameter (TDP), to characterize gapped quantum phases with global internal symmetry in (2+1)d. TDP is defined as the constant correction that appears in the ground state expectation value of a partial symmetry transformation applied to a connected spatial region $M$, the absolute value of which scales generically as $\exp(-\alpha l+\gamma)$ where $l$ is the perimeter of $M$ and $\gamma$ is the TDP. Motivated by a topological quantum field theory interpretation of the operator, we show that $e^\gamma$ can be related to the quantum dimension of the symmetry defect, and provide a general formula for $\gamma$ when the entanglement Hamiltonian of the topological phase can be described by a (1+1)d conformal field theory (CFT). A special case of TDP is equivalent to the topological R\'enyi entanglement entropy when the symmetry is the cyclic permutation of the replica of the gapped phase. We then investigate several examples of lattice models of topological phases, both analytically and numerically, in particular when the assumption of having a CFT edge theory is not satisfied. We also consider an example of partial translation symmetry in Wen's plaquette model and show that the result can be understood using the edge CFT. Our results establish a new tool to detect quantum topological order. - Top Cited PapersOpen Access
- 29 June 2022
- Published by Springer Nature in npj Quantum Materials
- Vol. 7 (1) , 1-9
Measuring Rényi entanglement entropy with high efficiency and precision in quantum Monte Carlo simulations
We develop a nonequilibrium increment method in quantum Monte Carlo simulations to obtain the Rényi entanglement entropy of various quantum many-body systems with high efficiency and precision. To demonstrate its power, we show the results on a few important yet difficult (2 + 1)dquantum lattice models, ranging from the Heisenberg quantum antiferromagnet with spontaneous symmetry breaking, the quantum critical point with O(3) conformal field theory (CFT) to the toric code $${{\mathbb{Z}}}_{2}$$ topological ordered state and the Kagome $${{\mathbb{Z}}}_{2}$$ quantum spin liquid model with frustration and multi-spin interactions. In all these cases, our method either reveals the precise CFT data from the logarithmic correction or extracts the quantum dimension in topological order, from the dominant area law in finite-size scaling, with very large system sizes, controlled errorbars, and minimal computational costs. Our method, therefore, establishes a controlled and practical computation paradigm to obtain the difficult yet important universal properties in highly entangled quantum matter.- 29 June 2022
- Published by Springer Nature in npj Quantum Materials
- Vol. 7 (1) , 1-9
Top Cited PapersOpen AccessMeasuring Rényi entanglement entropy with high efficiency and precision in quantum Monte Carlo simulations
We develop a nonequilibrium increment method in quantum Monte Carlo simulations to obtain the Rényi entanglement entropy of various quantum many-body systems with high efficiency and precision. To demonstrate its power, we show the results on a few important yet difficult (2 + 1)dquantum lattice models, ranging from the Heisenberg quantum antiferromagnet with spontaneous symmetry breaking, the quantum critical point with O(3) conformal field theory (CFT) to the toric code $${{\mathbb{Z}}}_{2}$$ topological ordered state and the Kagome $${{\mathbb{Z}}}_{2}$$ quantum spin liquid model with frustration and multi-spin interactions. In all these cases, our method either reveals the precise CFT data from the logarithmic correction or extracts the quantum dimension in topological order, from the dominant area law in finite-size scaling, with very large system sizes, controlled errorbars, and minimal computational costs. Our method, therefore, establishes a controlled and practical computation paradigm to obtain the difficult yet important universal properties in highly entangled quantum matter.