arXiv · 2512.05129
Thermal stability originates the vanishing of the specific heats at the absolute zero
Abstract
The relationship between the vanishing of the heat capacities as $T\to0^+$ and the thermal stability is examined. The heat capacities vanish as fast as or faster than $T$ as $T\to0^+$ for states at the phase space boundary ($T=0$) to sustain the standard thermal stability criterion $U_{ss}>0$. Conversely, weakly vanishing heat capacities, which signify a loss of curvature in $U(S)$ at $T=0$, are the signature of a critical condition precisely at $T=0$, as exemplified in marginal Fermi liquids. Therefore, the vanishing of the specific heat should be viewed not as a new law but as a confirmatory result of the existing framework of thermodynamics.
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Martín-Olalla, José María. 2025-11-24. Thermal stability originates the vanishing of the specific heats at the absolute zero. https://doi.org/10.1088/1402-4896%2Fae22a5
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