Simulating unconventional quantum phases using valence bond states

量子磁性是许多技术上重要的材料的核心，但在大多数当前的应用中，只使用磁性的经典性质。未来的固态器件能否充分利用量子干涉效应的潜力，将取决于我们理论理解的进步。量子磁体的数值研究可以帮助推进我们在这一领域的知识，但在许多关键方面，目前的计算技术还不能胜任这项任务。新的算法，基于纠缠的本地电子对，可能会提供我们需要探索一些最奇特的磁性行为的工具。

Quantum magnetism lies at the heart of many technologically important materials, but in most current applications only the classical properties of the magnetism are used. Progress toward future solid-state devices that exploit the full potential of the quantum interference effects will depend on improvements in our theoretical understanding. Numerical studies of quantum magnets can help to advance our knowledge in this area, but in many crucial ways current computational techniques are not up to the task. New algorithms, based on entangled pairs of local electrons, may provide the tools we need to explore some of the most exotic magnetic behaviours.