Density matrix renormalization group algorithms for Y-junctions

Systems of Y-junctions are interesting both from a fundamental viewpoint and because of their potential use in nanoscale devices. These systems can be studied numerically with the density matrix renormalization group(DMRG), but existing algorithms are inefficient. Here, we introduce a much more efficient DMRG algorithm for Y-junction systems. As an example of the use of this method, we study $S=1/2$ bound states in Heisenberg S=1 junctions with two geometries, one where the junction consists of a single site, and the other where it consists of a triangle of three sites.