Dimerization in quantum spin chains with $O(n)$ symmetry

Abstract

We consider quantum spins with $S\ge 1$, and two-body interactions with $O(2S+1)$ symmetry. We discuss the ground state phase diagram of the one-dimensional system. We give a rigorous proof of dimerization for an open region of the phase diagram, for $S$ sufficiently large. We also prove the existence of a gap for excitations.

35 pages, 18 figures