SYMMETRY-BREAKING IN HEISENBERG ANTIFERROMAGNETS

We extend Griffith's theorem on symmetry breaking in quantum spin systems to the situation where the order operator and the Hamiltonian do not commute with each other. The theorem establishes that the existence of a long range order in a symmetric (non-pure) infinite-volume state implies the existence of a symmetry breaking in the state obtained by applying an infinitesimal symmetry-breaking field. The theorem is most meaningful when applied to a class of quantum antiferromagnets where the existence of a long range order has been proved. by the Dyson-Lieb-Simon method. We also present a related theorem for the ground states. It is an improvement of the theorem by Kaplan, Horsch and von der Linden. Our lower bounds on the spontaneous staggered magnetization in terms of the long range order parameter take into account the symmetry of the system properly, and are likely to be saturated in general models.