Continuous phase transition from a chiral spin state to collinear magnetic order in a zigzag chain with Kitaev interactions

Abstract: Quantum spin systems can break time reversal symmetry by developing spontaneous magnetization or spin chirality. However, collinear magnets and chiral spin states are invariant under different symmetries, implying that the order parameter of one phase vanishes in the other. We show how to construct one-dimensional anisotropic spin models that exhibit a "Landau-forbidden" continuous phase transition between such states. As a concrete example, we focus on a zigzag chain with bond-dependent exchange and six-spin interactions. Using a combination of exact solutions, effective field theories, and numerical simulations, we show that the transition between the chiral and magnetic phases has an emergent U(1) symmetry. The excitations governing the transition from the chiral phase can be pictured as mobile defects in a $\mathbb Z_2$ flux configuration which bind fermionic modes. We briefly discuss extensions to two dimensions and analogies with deconfined quantum criticality. Our results suggest new prospects for unconventional phase transitions involving chiral spin states.