Abstract
The Ising nematic quantum critical point (QCP) associated with the zero temperature transition from a symmetric to a nematic {\it metal} is an exemplar of metallic quantum criticality. We have carried out a minus sign-free quantum Monte Carlo study of this QCP for a two dimensional lattice model with sizes up to $24\times 24$ sites. The system remains non-superconducting down to the lowest accessible temperatures. The results exhibit critical scaling behavior over the accessible ranges of temperature, (imaginary) time, and distance. This scaling behavior has remarkable similarities with recently measured properties of the Fe-based superconductors proximate to their putative nematic QCP.
Highlights
A hallmark of strongly correlated electron systems is the competition of ground states with different kinds of order [1]
The Ising nematic quantum critical point associated with the zero-temperature transition from a symmetric to a nematic metal is an exemplar of metallic quantum criticality
Such metallic quantum critical points (QCPs) have been identified in several heavy fermion compounds [5]; evidence for quantum critical behavior has been found in the ruthenate Sr3Ru2O7 [6,7] and the cuprate and ironbased superconductors [8]
Summary
A hallmark of strongly correlated electron systems is the competition of ground states with different kinds of order [1] In this context, a central set of unsettled theoretical issues concerns the character of quantum critical points (QCPs) in metals [2,3,4]. We report a DQMC study of a twodimensional sign-problem-free lattice model that exhibits an “Ising nematic” QCP in a metal at finite fermion density; in the nematic phase, the discrete lattice rotational symmetry is spontaneously broken from C4 to C2. Γ is the conventionally defined susceptibility exponent, the correlation length exponent ν ≡ γ=ð2 − ηÞ, where η is the anomalous dimension of the nematic field, and we introduce an “apparent dynamical exponent” z~ 1⁄4 ðνλÞ−1 IV, we discuss various caveats concerning the interpretation of our results and their bearing on both prior theoretical work and the interpretation of experiments
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
