The correlation length of the square-lattice spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet is studied in the low-temperature (asymptotic-scaling) regime. Our novel approach combines a very efficient loop cluster algorithm—operating directly in the Euclidean time continuum—with finite-size scaling. This enables us to probe correlation lengths up to $\xi \approx 350000$ lattice spacings, more than 3 orders of magnitude larger than in any previous study. We resolve a conundrum concerning the applicability of asymptotic-scaling formulas to experimentally and numerically determined correlation lengths. Our results have direct implications for the zero-temperature behavior of spin-1/2 ladders.

• Received 10 September 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.80.1742