Antiferromagnetic order enhanced by local dissipation

We study an XXZ spin chain at zero magnetization coupled to a collection of local harmonic baths at zero temperature. We map this system on a (1+1)D effective field theory using bosonization, where the effect of the bath is taken care of in an exact manner. We provide analytical and numerical evidence of the existence of two phases at zero temperature: a Luttinger liquid (LL) and an antiferromagnetic phase (AFM), separated by a phase transition akin to the Berezinsky–Kosterlitz–Thouless (BKT) type. While the bath is responsible for the LL-AFM transition for subohmic baths, the LL-AFM transition for superohmic baths is due to the interactions within the spin chain.