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arXiv · 1405.6566

Spontaneous symmetry breaking of magnetostriction in metals with multi-valley band structure

G. P. Mikitik·Yu. V. Sharlai
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Abstract

We show that a first-order phase transition can take place in a metal in a strong magnetic field if an electron Landau level approaches the Fermi energy of the metal. This transition is due to the electron-phonon interaction and is characterized by a jump in magnetostriction of the metal. If there are several equivalent groups of charge carriers in the metal, a spontaneous symmetry breaking of the magnetostriction can occur when the Landau level crosses the Fermi energy, and this breaking manifests itself as a series of the structural phase transitions that change a crystal symmetry of the metal. With these results, we discuss unusual findings recently discovered in bismuth.[ In the new version more explanations and examples added.]

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G. P. Mikitik, Yu. V. Sharlai. 2014-05-26. Spontaneous symmetry breaking of magnetostriction in metals with multi-valley band structure. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.91.075111

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