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Systematic Search for Conformal Field Theories in Very Small Spaces

Xiang Li1, Ting-Chun Lin1,2, and John McGreevy1

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Phys. Rev. Lett. 137, 121601 – Published 16 September, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/j8v5-kyd6

Abstract

Ground states of 1+1d conformal field theories (CFTs) satisfy a local entropic condition called the vector fixed point equation. This condition is surprisingly well satisfied by ground states of quantum critical lattice models even at small system sizes. We perform a search in the space of states of very small systems (4 qubits and 4 qutrits) and examine the states that satisfy this condition. By reconstructing a local Hamiltonian from each state, we are able to identify many of these solutions with known CFTs; others are gapped fixed points or involve large relevant perturbations, and others are CFTs we have not yet identified. These ideas are also useful for identifying continuous quantum phase transitions in a given family of Hamiltonians and for identifying the nature of the critical theory in small systems.

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Phys. Rev. Lett. 137, 121601– Published 16 September, 2026
  • Received 17 November 2025
  • Revised 27 July 2026
  • Accepted 10 August 2026
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