Numerical variational studies of quantum phase transitions in the sub-Ohmic spin-boson model with multiple polaron ansatz

With extensive variational calculations, dissipative quantum phase transitions in the sub-Ohmic spinboson model are numerically studied in a dense limit of environmental modes. By employing a generalized trial wave function composed of coherent-state expansions, transition points and critical exponents are accurately determined for various spectral exponents, demonstrating excellent agreement with those obtained by other sophisticated numerical techniques. Besides, the quantum-to-classical correspondence is fully confirmed over the entire sub-Ohmic range, compared with theoretical predictions of the long-range Ising model. Mean-field and non-mean-field critical behaviors are found in the deep and shallow sub-Ohmic regimes, respectively, and distinct physical mechanisms of them are uncovered. (c) 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.