Fermion Condensation Quantum Phase Transition Research Articles

Quantum phase transition in CeCoIn5: Experimental facts and theory

The condensed-matter community is involved in a hot debate on the nature of quantum critical points (QCP) governing the low-temperature properties of heavy fermion metals. The smeared jump-like behavior revealed both in the residual resistivity and the Hall resistivity R H , along with the violation of the time invariance symmetry and the charge invariance , include the violation of quasiparticle-hole symmetry, and provide vital clues on the origin of both the non-Fermi-liquid behavior and QCP. For the first time, based on a number of important experimental data, we show that these experimental observations point out unambiguously that QCP of is accompanied by the symmetry violation, and QCP itself is represented by the topological fermion-condensation quantum phase transition (FCQPT) connecting two Fermi surfaces of different topological charges.

Peculiar Physics of Heavy-Fermion Metals: Theory versus Experiment

This review considers the topological fermion condensation quantum phase transition (FCQPT) that leads to flat bands and allows the elucidation of the special behavior of heavy-fermion (HF) metals that is not exhibited by common metals described within the framework of the Landau Fermi liquid (LFL) theory. We bring together theoretical consideration within the framework of the fermion condensation theory based on the FCQPT with experimental data collected on HF metals. We show that very different HF metals demonstrate universal behavior induced by the FCQPT and demonstrate that Fermi systems near the FCQPT are controlled by the Fermi quasiparticles with the effective mass M* strongly depending on temperature T, magnetic field B, pressure P, etc. Within the framework of our analysis, the experimental data regarding the thermodynamic, transport and relaxation properties of HF metal are naturally described. Based on the theory, we explain a number of experimental data and show that the considered HF metals exhibit peculiar properties such as: (1) the universal T/B scaling behavior; (2) the linear dependence of the resistivity on T, ρ(T)∝A1T (with A1 is a temperature-independent coefficient), and the negative magnetoresistance; (3) asymmetrical dependence of the tunneling differential conductivity (resistivity) on the bias voltage; (4) in the case of a flat band, the superconducting critical temperature Tc∝g with g being the coupling constant, while the M* becomes finite; (5) we show that the so called Planckian limit exhibited by HF metals with ρ(T)∝T is defined by the presence of flat bands.

Strongly Correlated Quantum Spin Liquids versus Heavy Fermion Metals: A Review.

This review considers the topological fermion condensation quantum phase transition (FCQPT) that explains the complex behavior of strongly correlated Fermi systems, such as frustrated insulators with quantum spin liquid and heavy fermion metals. The review contrasts theoretical consideration with recent experimental data collected on both heavy fermion metals (HF) and frustrated insulators. Such a method allows to understand experimental data. We also consider experimental data collected on quantum spin liquid in and quasi-one dimensional (1D) quantum spin liquid in both and with the aim to establish a sound theoretical explanation for the observed scaling laws, Landau Fermi liquid (LFL) and non-Fermi-liquid (NFL) behavior exhibited by these frustrated insulators. The recent experimental data on the heavy-fermion metal , with , and on its sister compounds and , carried out under the application of magnetic field as a control parameter are analyzed. We show that the thermodynamic and transport properties as well as the empirical scaling laws follow from the fermion condensation theory. We explain how both the similarity and the difference in the thermodynamic and transport properties of and in its sister compounds and emerge, as well as establish connection of these (HF) metals with insulators , and . We demonstrate that the universal LFL and NFL behavior emerge because the HF compounds and the frustrated insulators are located near the topological FCQPT or are driven by the application of magnetic fields.

Universal T/B Scaling Behavior of Heavy Fermion Compounds (Brief Review)

In our mini-review, we address manifestations of $T/B$ scaling behavior of heavy-fermion (HF) compounds, where $T$ and $B$ are respectively temperature and magnetic field. Using experimental data and the fermion condensation theory, we show that this scaling behavior is typical of HF compounds including HF metals, quasicrystals, and quantum spin liquids. We demonstrate that such scaling behavior holds down to the lowest temperature and field values, so that $T/B$ varies in a wide range, provided the HF compound is located near the topological fermion condensation quantum phase transition (FCQPT). Due to the topological properties of FCQPT, the effective mass $M^*$ exhibits a universal behavior, and diverges as $T$ goes to zero. Such a behavior of $M^*$ has important technological applications. We also explain how to extract the universal scaling behavior from experimental data collected on different heavy-fermion compounds. As an example, we consider the HF metal $\rm YbCo_2Ge_4$, and show that its scaling behavior is violated at low temperatures. Our results obtained show good agreement with experimental facts.

Violation of the Time-Reversal and Particle-Hole Symmetries in Strongly Correlated Fermi Systems: A Review

In this review, we consider the time reversal T and particle-antiparticle C symmetries that, being most fundamental, can be violated at microscopic level by a weak interaction. The notable example here is from condensed matter, where strongly correlated Fermi systems like heavy-fermion metals and high Tc superconductors exhibit C and T symmetries violation due to so-called non-Fermi liquid (NFL) behavior. In these systems, tunneling differential conductivity (or resistivity) is a very sensitive tool to experimentally test the above symmetry break. When a strongly correlated Fermi system turns out to be near the topological fermion condensation quantum phase transition (FCQPT), it exhibits the NFL properties, so that the C symmetry breaks down, making the differential tunneling conductivity to be an asymmetric function of the bias voltage V. This asymmetry does not take place in normal metals, where Landau Fermi liquid (LFL) theory holds. Under the application of magnetic field, a heavy fermion metal transits to the LFL state, and σ(V) becomes symmetric function of V. These findings are in good agreement with experimental observations. We suggest that the same topological FCQPT underlies the baryon asymmetry in the Universe. We demonstrate that the most fundamental features of the nature are defined by its topological and symmetry properties.

Flat Bands and Salient Experimental Features Supportingthe Fermion Condensation Theory of Strongly Correlated Fermi Systems

The physics of strongly correlated Fermi systems, being the mainstream topic for more than half a century, still remains elusive. Recent advancements in experimental techniques permit to collect important data, which, in turn, allow us to make the conclusive statements about the underlying physics of strongly correlated Fermi systems. Such systems are close to a special quantum critical point represented by topological fermion-condensation quantum phase transition which separates normal Fermi liquid and that with a fermion condensate, forming flat bands. Our review paper considers recent exciting experimental observations of universal scattering rate related to linear temperature dependence of resistivity in a large number of strongly correlated Fermi systems as well as normal metals. We show that the observed scattering rate is explained by the emergence of flat bands, while the so-called Planckian limit occurs accidentally since the normal metals exhibit the same scattering rate behavior. We also analyze recent challenging experimental data on tunneling differential conductivity collected under the application of magnetic field on the twisted graphene and the archetypical heavy fermion metal YbRh $${}_{2}$$ Si $${}_{2}$$ . Also we describe recent empirical observations of scaling properties related to universal linear-temperature resistivity for a large number of strongly correlated high-temperature superconductors. We show that these observations support the fermion condensation theory. Our theoretical results are in good agreement with corps of different and seemingly unrelated experimental facts. They show that the fermion-condensation quantum phase transition is an intrinsic property of strongly correlated Fermi systems and can be viewed as the universal agent explaining their core physics.

Thermodynamic, Dynamic, and Transport Properties of Quantum Spin Liquid in Herbertsmithite from an Experimental and Theoretical Point of View

In our review, we focus on the quantum spin liquid (QSL), defining the thermodynamic, transport, and relaxation properties of geometrically frustrated magnet (insulators) represented by herbertsmithite ZnCu 3 ( OH ) 6 Cl 2 . The review mostly deals with an historical perspective of our theoretical contributions on this subject, based on the theory of fermion condensation closely related to the emergence (due to geometrical frustration) of dispersionless parts in the fermionic quasiparticle spectrum, so-called flat bands. QSL is a quantum state of matter having neither magnetic order nor gapped excitations even at zero temperature. QSL along with heavy fermion metals can form a new state of matter induced by the topological fermion condensation quantum phase transition. The observation of QSL in actual materials such as herbertsmithite is of fundamental significance both theoretically and technologically, as it could open a path to the creation of topologically protected states for quantum information processing and quantum computation. It is therefore of great importance to establish the presence of a gapless QSL state in one of the most prospective materials, herbertsmithite. In this respect, the interpretation of current theoretical and experimental studies of herbertsmithite are controversial in their implications. Based on published experimental data augmented by our theoretical analysis, we present evidence for the the existence of a QSL in the geometrically frustrated insulator herbertsmithite ZnCu 3 ( OH ) 6 Cl 2 , providing a strategy for unambiguous identification of such a state in other materials. To clarify the nature of QSL in herbertsmithite, we recommend measurements of heat transport, low-energy inelastic neutron scattering, and optical conductivity σ ¯ in ZnCu 3 ( OH ) 6 Cl 2 crystals subject to an external magnetic field at low temperatures. Our analysis of the behavior of σ ¯ in herbertsmithite justifies this set of measurements, which can provide a conclusive experimental demonstration of the nature of its spinon-composed quantum spin liquid. Theoretical study of the optical conductivity of herbertsmithite allows us to expose the physical mechanisms responsible for its temperature and magnetic field dependence. We also suggest that artificially or spontaneously introducing inhomogeneity at nanoscale into ZnCu 3 ( OH ) 6 Cl 2 can both stabilize its QSL and simplify its chemical preparation, and can provide for tests that elucidate the role of impurities. We make predictions of the results of specified measurements related to the dynamical, thermodynamic, and transport properties in the case of a gapless QSL.

Fermion Condensation, T-Linear Resistivity, and Planckian Limit

We explain recent challenging experimental observations of universal scattering rate related to the linear-temperature resistivity exhibited by a large corps of both strongly correlated Fermi systems and conventional metals. We show that the observed scattering rate in strongly correlated Fermi systems like heavy fermion metals and high-$T_c$ superconductors stems from phonon contribution that induce the linear temperature dependence of a resistivity. The above phonons are formed by the presence of flat band, resulting from the topological fermion condensation quantum phase transition (FCQPT). We emphasize that so - called Planckian limit, widely used to explain the above universal scattering rate, may occur accidentally as in conventional metals its experimental manifestations (e.g. scattering rate at room and higher temperatures) are indistinguishable from those generated by the well-know phonons being the classic lattice excitations. Our results are in good agreement with experimental data and show convincingly that the topological FCQPT can be viewed as the universal agent explaining the very unusual physics of strongly correlated Fermi systems.

Flat bands and strongly correlated Fermi systems

Many strongly correlated Fermi systems including heavy-fermion (HF) metals and high-Tc superconductors belong to that class of quantum many-body systems for which Landau Fermi-liquid (LFL) theory fails. Instead, these systems exhibit non-Fermi-liquid properties that arise from violation of time-reversal (T) and particle-hole (C) invariance. Measurements of tunneling conductance provide a powerful experimental tool for detecting violations of these basic symmetries inherent to LFLs, which guarantee that the measured differential conductivity dI/dV, where I is the current and V the bias voltage, is a symmetric function of V. Thus, it has been predicted that the conductivity becomes asymmetric for HF metals such as CeCoIn5 and . In these systems, the background electron liquid is considered to undergo a transformation that renders a portion of its excitation spectrum dispersionless, giving rise to so-called flat bands. The presence of a flat band indicates that the system is close to a special quantum critical point, namely a topological fermion-condensation quantum phase transition. An essential aspect of the behavior of a system hosting a flat band is that application of a magnetic field can restore its normal Fermi-liquid properties, including T- and C-invariance, with the differential conductivity again becoming a symmetric function of V. This behavior has been observed in recent measurements of tunneling conductivity in both and graphene. Also within the FC framework, we describe and explain recent empirical observations of scaling properties related to universal linear-temperature resistivity for a large number of strongly correlated high-temperature superconductors. We show that the observed scaling is explained by the emergence of flat bands formed by fermion condensation.

Asymmetric Tunneling Conductance and the Non-Fermi Liquid Behavior of Strongly Correlated Fermi Systems

Tunneling differential conductivity (or resistivity) is a sensitive tool to experimentally test the non-Fermi liquid behavior of strongly correlated Fermi systems. In the case of common metals the Landau–Fermi liquid theory demonstrates that the differential conductivity is a symmetric function of bias voltage V. This is because the particle–hole symmetry is conserved in the Landau–Fermi liquid state. When a strongly correlated Fermi system turns out to be near the topological fermion condensation quantum phase transition, its Landau–Fermi liquid properties disappear so that the particle–hole symmetry breaks making the differential tunneling conductivity to be asymmetric function of V. This asymmetry can be observed when a strongly correlated metal is in its normal, superconducting or pseudogap states. We show that the asymmetric part of the dynamic conductance does not depend on temperature provided that the metal is in its superconducting or pseudogap states. In normal state, the asymmetric part diminishes at rising temperatures. Under the application of magnetic field the metal transits to the Landau–Fermi liquid state and the differential tunneling conductivity becomes a symmetric function of V. These findings are in good agreement with recent experimental observations.

New State of Matter: Heavy Fermion Systems, Quantum Spin Liquids, Quasicrystals, Cold Gases, and High-Temperature Superconductors

We report on a new state of matter manifested by strongly correlated Fermi systems including various heavy-fermion (HF) metals, two-dimensional quantum liquids such as $\rm ^3He$ films, certain quasicrystals, and systems behaving as quantum spin liquids. Generically, these systems can be viewed as HF systems or HF compounds, in that they exhibit typical behavior of HF metals. At zero temperature, such systems can experience a so-called fermion-condensation quantum phase transition (FCQPT). Combining analytical considerations with arguments based entirely on experimental grounds we argue and demonstrate that the class of HF systems is characterized by universal scaling behavior of their thermodynamic, transport, and relaxation properties. That is, the quantum physics of different HF compounds is found to be universal, emerging irrespective of the individual details of their symmetries, interactions, and microscopic structure. This observed universal behavior reveals the existence of a new state of matter manifest in HF compounds. We propose a simple, realistic model to study the appearance of flat bands in two-dimensional ensembles of ultracold fermionic atoms, interacting with coherent resonant light. It is shown that signatures of these flat bands may be found in peculiarities in their thermodynamic and spectroscopic properties. We also show that the FCQPT, in generating flat bands and altering Fermi surface topology, is an essential progenitor of the exotic behavior of the overdoped high-temperature superconductors represented by $\rm La_{2-x}Sr_xCuO_4$, whose superconductivity differs from that predicted by the classical Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer theory. The theoretical results presented are in good agreement with recent experimental observations, closing the colossal gap between these empirical findings and Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer-like theories.

Strongly correlated Fermi systems as a new state of matter

The aim of this review paper is to expose a new state of matter exhibited by strongly correlated Fermi systems represented by various heavy-fermion (HF) metals, two-dimensional liquids like $\rm ^3He$, compounds with quantum spin liquids, quasicrystals, and systems with one-dimensional quantum spin liquid. We name these various systems HF compounds, since they exhibit the behavior typical of HF metals. In HF compounds at zero temperature the unique phase transition, dubbed throughout as the fermion condensation quantum phase transition (FCQPT) can occur; this FCQPT creates flat bands which in turn lead to the specific state, known as the fermion condensate. Unlimited increase of the effective mass of quasiparticles signifies FCQPT; these quasiparticles determine the thermodynamic, transport and relaxation properties of HF compounds. Our discussion of numerous salient experimental data within the framework of FCQPT resolves the mystery of the new state of matter. Thus, FCQPT and the fermion condensation can be considered as the universal reason for the non-Fermi liquid behavior observed in various HF compounds. We show analytically and using arguments based completely on the experimental grounds that these systems exhibit universal scaling behavior of their thermodynamic, transport and relaxation properties. Therefore, the quantum physics of different HF compounds is universal, and emerges regardless of the microscopic structure of the compounds. This uniform behavior allows us to view it as the main characteristic of a new state of matter exhibited by HF compounds.

Magnetic quantum criticality in quasi‐one‐dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnet

We analyze exciting recent measurements [Phys. Rev. Lett. 114 (2015) 037202] of the magnetization, differential susceptibility and specific heat on one dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnet Cu(C4H4N2)(NO3)2 (CuPzN) subjected to strong magnetic fields. Using the mapping between magnons (bosons) in CuPzN and fermions, we demonstrate that magnetic field tunes the insulator towards quantum critical point related to so‐called fermion condensation quantum phase transition (FCQPT) at which the resulting fermion effective mass diverges kinematically. We show that the FCQPT concept permits to reveal the scaling behavior of thermodynamic characteristics, describe the experimental results quantitatively, and derive for the first time the (temperature—magnetic field) phase diagram, that contains Landau‐Fermi‐liquid, crossover and non‐Fermi liquid parts, thus resembling that of heavy‐fermion compounds.

Quasi-one-dimensional quantum spin liquid in the Cu(C4H4N2)(NO3)2 insulator

We analyze measurements of the magnetization, differential susceptibility and specific heat of quasi-one dimensional insulator Cu(C$_4$H$_4$N$_2$)(NO$_3$)$_2$ (CuPzN) subjected to magnetic fields. We show that the thermodynamic properties are defined by quantum spin liquid formed with spinons, with the magnetic field tuning the insulator CuPzN towards quantum critical point related to fermion condensation quantum phase transition (FCQPT) at which the spinon effective mass diverges kinematically. We show that the FCQPT concept permits to reveal and explain the scaling behavior of thermodynamic characteristics. For the first time, we construct the schematic $T-H$ (temperature---magnetic field) phase diagram of CuPzN, that contains Landau-Fermi-liquid, crossover and non-Fermi liquid parts, thus resembling that of heavy-fermion compounds.

Fermion condensate generates a new state of matter by making flat bands

This short review paper is devoted to 90th anniversary of S.T. Belyaev birthday. Belyaev’s ideas associated with the condensate state in Bose interacting systems have stimulated intensive studies of the possible manifestation of such a condensation in Fermi systems. In many Fermi systems and compounds at zero temperature a phase transition happens that leads to a quite specific state called fermion condensation. As a signal of such a fermion condensation quantum phase transition (FCQPT) serves unlimited increase of the effective mass of quasiparticles that determines the excitation spectrum and creates flat bands. We show that the class of Fermi liquids with the fermion condensate forms a new state of matter. We discuss the phase diagrams and the physical properties of systems located near that phase transition. A common and essential feature of such systems is quasiparticles different from those suggested by L.D. Landau by crucial dependence of their effective mass on temperature, external magnetic field, pressure, etc. It is demonstrated that a huge amount of experimental data collected on different compounds suggest that they, starting from some temperature and down, form the new state of matter, and are governed by the fermion condensation. Our discussion shows that the theory of fermion condensation develops completely good description of the NFL behavior of strongly correlated Fermi systems. Moreover, the fermion condensation can be considered as the universal reason for the NFL behavior observed in various HF metals, liquids, compounds with quantum spin liquids, and quasicrystals. We show that these systems exhibit universal scaling behavior of their thermodynamic properties. Therefore, the quantum critical physics of different strongly correlated compounds is universal, and emerges regardless of the underlying microscopic details of the compounds. This uniform behavior, governed by the universal quantum critical physics, allows us to view it as the main characteristic of the new state of matter.

General properties of phase diagrams of heavy-fermion metals

We study the temperature-magnetic field T-B phase diagrams of heavy-fermion (HF) metals, and show that at sufficiently high temperatures outside the ordered phase the crossover temperature , regarded as the energy scale, follows a linear B-dependence, crossing the origin of the T-B phase diagram. This behavior of constitutes the general property, and is formed by the presence of the fermion condensation quantum phase transition hidden within the ordered phase. Our result is in good agreement with the experimental T-B phase diagram of the HF metals YbRh2Si2, Yb(Rh0.93Co0.07)2Si2, and Yb(Rh0.94Ir0.06)2Si2. To support our observations, we analyze the isothermal magnetization M, and demonstrate that exhibits a universal temperature behavior over magnetic field scaling. The obtained results are in good agreement with the corresponding data collected on YbRh2Si2 as a function of the magnetic field at different temperatures under hydrostatic pressure.

Fermion Condensate as a New State of Matter

AbstractWe demonstrate that in very many natural systems consisting of huge numbers of identical fermions at zero temperature a phase transition can happen that leads to a quite specific state called fermion condensate. As a signal of such fermion condensation quantum phase transition serves unlimited increase of the effective mass of quasi‐particles that determine the excitation spectrum of multi‐fermion system under consideration. We discuss the conditions, under which this transition happens, and illustrate the physical properties of a system that is located near this phase transition. The effective mass diverge when the inter‐particle interaction is repulsive and medium strong as compared to particle's kinetic energy. So, low temperature and intermediate density plasma is a good candidate for such a phenomenon. Therefore, this paper can serve as a source of stimulating ideas when exploring a possible non‐Fermi liquid behavior of plasma. A common and essential feature of such systems is a possibility to introduce quasiparticles that are different, however, from those suggested by L.D. Landau almost sixty years ago, by crucial dependence of temperature, external magnetic field, pressure and so on. These systems exhibit scaling behavior of their effective mass and other characteristics that are determined by this effective mass. It is demonstrated that a huge amount of experimental data on different strongly correlated compounds suggest that they, starting from some temperature and down, are governed by the fermion condensation quantum phase transition. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Flat bands and enigma of metamagnetic quantum critical regime in Sr3Ru2O7

Understanding the nature of field-tuned metamagnetic quantum criticality in the ruthenate Sr3Ru2O7 has presented a significant challenge within condensed matter physics. It is known from experiments that the entropy within the ordered phase forms a peak, and is unexpectedly higher than that outside, while the magnetoresistivity experiences steep jumps near the ordered phase. We find a challenging connection between Sr3Ru2O7 and heavy-fermion metals expressing universal physics that transcends microscopic details. Our construction of the T-B phase diagram of Sr3Ru2O7 permits us to explain main features of the experimental one, and unambiguously implies an interpretation of its extraordinary low-temperature thermodynamic in terms of fermion condensation quantum phase transition leading to the formation of a flat band at the restricted range of magnetic fields B. We show that it is the flat band that generates both the entropy peak and the resistivity jumps at the QCPs.

Common quantum phase transition in quasicrystals and heavy-fermion metals

Extraordinary new materials named quasicrystals and characterized by noncrystallographic rotational symmetry and quasiperiodic translational properties have attracted scrutiny. Study of quasicrystals may shed light on the most basic notions related to the quantum critical state observed in heavy-fermion metals. We show that the electronic system of some quasicrystals is located at the fermion condensation quantum phase transition without tuning. In that case the quasicrystals possess the quantum critical state with the non-Fermi liquid behavior which in magnetic fields transforms into the Landau Fermi-liquid one. Remarkably, the quantum critical state is robust despite the strong disorder experienced by the electrons. We also demonstrate for the first time that quasicrystals exhibit the typical scaling behavior of their thermodynamic properties such as the magnetic susceptibility, and belong to the famous family of heavy-fermion metals. Our calculated thermodynamic properties are in good agreement with recent experimental observations.

Quasiparticles of strongly correlated Fermi liquids at high temperatures and in high magnetic fields

Strongly correlated Fermi systems are among the most intriguing, best experimentally studied and fundamental systems in physics. There is, however, lack of theoretical understanding in this field of physics. The ideas based on the concepts like Kondo lattice and involving quantum and thermal fluctuations at a quantum critical point have been used to explain the unusual physics. Alas, being suggested to describe one property, these approaches fail to explain the others. This means a real crisis in theory suggesting that there is a hidden fundamental law of nature. It turns out that the hidden fundamental law is well forgotten old one directly related to the Landau-Migdal quasiparticles, while the basic properties and the scaling behavior of the strongly correlated systems can be described within the framework of the fermion condensation quantum phase transition (FCQPT). The phase transition comprises the extended quasiparticle paradigm that allows us to explain the non-Fermi liquid (NFL) behavior observed in these systems. In contrast to the Landau paradigm stating that the quasiparticle effective mass is a constant, the effective mass of new quasiparticles strongly depends on temperature, magnetic field, pressure, and other parameters. Our observations are in good agreement with experimental facts and show that FCQPT is responsible for the observed NFL behavior and quasiparticles survive both high temperatures and high magnetic fields.