We considered the question of applying the multiscale entanglement renormalization ansatz (MERA) to describe chiral topological phases. We defined a functional for each layer in the MERA, which captures the correlation length. With some algebraic geometry tools, we rigorously proved its monotonicity with respect to adjacent layers, and the existence of a lower bound for chiral states, which shows a trade-off between the bond dimension and the correlation length. Using this theorem, we showed the number of orbitals per cell (which roughly corresponds to the bond dimension) should grow with the height. Conversely, if we restrict the bond dimensions to be constant, then there is an upper bound of the height. Specifically, we established a no-go theorem stating that we will not approach a renormalization fixed point in this case.

• Received 18 April 2017
• Revised 23 May 2019

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.99.241105