Quantum phase transitions in a bidimensional $O(N) \times {\mathbb{Z}_2}$ scalar field model

Abstract: We analyze the possible quantum phase transition patterns occurring within the $O(N) \times {\mathbb{Z}_2}$ scalar multi-field model at vanishing temperatures in $(1+1)$-dimensions. The physical masses associated with the two coupled scalar sectors are evaluated using the loop approximation up to second order. We observe that in the strong coupling regime, the breaking $O(N) \times {\mathbb{Z}_2} \to O(N)$, which is allowed by the Mermin-Wagner-Hohenberg-Coleman theorem, can take place through a second-order phase transition. In order to satisfy this no-go theorem, the $O(N)$ sector must have a finite mass gap for all coupling values, such that conformality is never attained, in opposition to what happens in the simpler ${\mathbb{Z}_2}$ version. Our evaluations also show that the sign of the interaction between the two different fields alters the transition pattern in a significant way. These results may be relevant to describe the quantum phase transitions taking place in cold linear systems with competing order parameters. At the same time the super-renormalizable model proposed here can turn out to be useful as a prototype to test resummation techniques as well as non-perturbative methods.