We develop a correction to the density matrix used in density matrix renormalization group calculations to take into account the incompleteness of the environment block. The correction allows successful calculations using only a single site in the center of the system, rather than the standard two sites, improving typical computation times by a factor of two to four. In addition, in many cases where the ordinary density matrix renormalization group method can get stuck in metastable configurations, the correction eliminates the sticking. We test the method on the Heisenberg $S=1$ chain.

• Received 6 September 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.72.180403