New Insights into Phase Transitions in Quantum Systems

Recent research by Hanchen Liu and Xiao Chen introduces a new class of two-dimensional randomized plaquette models, which replace the multi-spin interaction term with a single-site spin term based on a probability factor. This modification allows for the observation of a ground state phase transition, indicating a shift in the symmetry operator from extensive to localized behavior as the probability varies. The study interprets these two-dimensional transitions through the lens of one-dimensional randomized cellular automaton dynamics, suggesting a connection between classical spin models and quantum systems.

The authors focus particularly on models with three or five-body interactions, exploring their universality classes during phase transitions. Notably, the five-body interaction model aligns with the same universality class as the measurement-induced entanglement phase transition observed in one-dimensional Clifford dynamics. This connection extends to the boundary entanglement transition of two-dimensional cluster states influenced by random bulk Pauli measurements.

These findings may have significant implications for understanding critical phenomena in quantum systems and could enhance the development of hybrid random circuits, which are essential for advancing quantum computing technologies. The research establishes a framework that links classical statistical mechanics with quantum measurement processes, potentially paving the way for new insights in both fields.

For further details, the paper titled "Plaquette Models, Cellular Automata, and Measurement-induced Criticality" can be accessed at arXiv:2405.08286.