From the Shastry-Sutherland model to the $J_1$-$J_2$ Heisenberg model

We propose a generalized Shastry-Sutherland model which bridges the Shastry-Sutherland model and the $J_1$-$J_2$ Heisenberg model. By employing large scale Density Matrix Renormalization Group and Fully Augmented Matrix Product State calculations, combined with careful finite-size scaling, we find the phase transition between the plaquette valence bond state (PVBS) and Neel anti-ferromagnetic (AFM) phase in the pure Shastry-Sutherland model is a weak first one. This result indicates the existence of an exotic tri-critical point in the PVBS to AFM transition line in the phase diagram, as the transition in the $J_1$-$J_2$ Heisenberg model was previously determined to be continuous. We determine the location of the tri-critical point in the phase diagram at which first-order transition turns to continuous. Our generalized Shastry-Sutherland model provides not only a valuable platform to explore exotic phases and phase transitions but also more realistic description of Shastry-Sutherland materials like SrCu$_2$(BO$_3$)$_2$.