Quantum phase transitions from competing short- and long-range interactions on a π -flux lattice

Quantum phase transitions from the cluster-charge interaction, which is composed of competing short- and long-range interactions, are investigated on a π-flux lattice by using the mean-field theory and determinant quantum Monte Carlo (DQMC) simulations. Both methods identify a plaquette-dimer phase, which develops from a finite interaction strength. While its signature in DQMC is relatively weak, an obvious antiferromagnetic transition is revealed in the spin structure factor instead. The corresponding critical interaction and exponents are readily obtained by finite-size scalings, with the plaquette-dimer structure factor that can also be well scaled. These results suggest a possible deconfined quantum critical point between the plaquette-dimer and antiferromagnetic phases driven by the cluster-charge interaction on a π-flux lattice.