Finite-size criteria for spectral gaps in $D$-dimensional quantum spin systems

Abstract: We generalize the existing finite-size criteria for spectral gaps of frustration-free spin systems to $D>2$ dimensions. We obtain a local gap threshold of $\frac{3}{n}$, independent of $D$, for nearest-neighbor interactions. The $\frac{1}{n}$ scaling persists for arbitrary finite-range interactions in $\mathbb Z^3$. The key observation is that there is more flexibility in Knabe's combinatorial approach if one employs the operator Cauchy-Schwarz inequality.