Symmetry protection of topological order in one-dimensional quantum spin systems

Abstract

We discuss the characterization and stability of the Haldane phase in integer spin chains on the basis of simple, physical arguments. We find that an odd-$S$ Haldane phase is a topologically non-trivial phase which is protected by any one of the following three global symmetries: (i) the dihedral group of $π$-rotations about $x,y$ and $z$ axes; (ii) time-reversal symmetry $S^{x,y,z} \rightarrow - S^{x,y,z}$; (iii) link inversion symmetry (reflection about a bond center), consistently with previous results [Phys. Rev. B \textbf{81}, 064439 (2010)]. On the other hand, an even-$S$ Haldane phase is not topologically protected (i.e., it is indistinct from a trivial, site-factorizable phase). We show some numerical evidence that supports these claims, using concrete examples.

9 pages, 6 figures, extended version: several new examples and numerical results added. Journal reference added