Symmetry Breaking in an Extended-O(2) Model

Abstract: Motivated by attempts to quantum simulate lattice models with continuous Abelian symmetries using discrete approximations, we consider an extended-O(2) model that differs from the ordinary O(2) model by an explicit symmetry breaking term. Its coupling allows to smoothly interpolate between the O(2) model (zero coupling) and a $q$-state clock model (infinite coupling). In the latter case, a $q$-state clock model can also be defined for non-integer values of $q$. Thus, such a limit can also be considered as an analytic continuation of an ordinary $q$-state clock model to non-integer $q$. The phase diagram of the extended-O(2) model in the infinite coupling limit was established in our previous work, where it was shown that for non-integer $q$, there is a second-order phase transition at low temperature and a crossover at high temperature. In this work, we investigate the model at finite values of the coupling using Monte Carlo and tensor methods. The results may be relevant for configurable Rydberg-atom arrays.