A machine learning approach to the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition in classical and quantum models

Abstract

The Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition is a very specific phase transition where all thermodynamic quantities are smooth. Therefore, it is difficult to determine the critical temperature in a precise way. In this paper we demonstrate how neural networks can be used to perform this task. In particular, we study how the accuracy of the transition identification depends on the way the neural networks are trained. We apply our approach to three different systems: (i) the classical XY model, (ii) the phase-fermion model, where classical and quantum degrees of freedom are coupled and (iii) the quantum XY model.

Keywords

• phase transitions
• topological defects
• XY model
• artificial neural networks
• machine learning