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C. P. Hofmann

Publications and source records attributed to C. P. Hofmann.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2015

Finite-Volume Energy Spectrum, Fractionalized Strings, and Low-Energy Effective Field Theory for the Quantum Dimer Model on the Square Lattice

We present detailed analytic calculations of finite-volume energy spectra, mean field theory, as well as a systematic low-energy effective field theory for the square lattice quantum dimer model. The analytic considerations explain why a string connecting two external static charges in the confining columnar phase fractionalizes into eight distinct strands with electric flux $\frac{1}{4}$. An emergent approximate spontaneously broken $SO(2)$ symmetry gives rise to a pseudo-Goldstone boson. Remarkably, this soft phonon-like excitation, which is massless at the Rokhsar-Kivelson (RK) point, exists far beyond this point. The Goldstone physics is captured by a systematic low-energy effective field theory. We determine its low-energy parameters by matching the analytic effective field theory with exact diagonalization results and Monte Carlo data. This confirms that the model exists in the columnar (and not in a plaquette or mixed) phase all the way to the RK point.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2014

Holes Localized on a Skyrmion in a Doped Antiferromagnet on the Honeycomb Lattice: Symmetry Analysis

Using the low-energy effective field theory for hole-doped antiferromagnets on the honeycomb lattice, we study the localization of holes on Skyrmions, as a potential mechanism for the preformation of Cooper pairs. In contrast to the square lattice case, for the standard radial profile of the Skyrmion on the honeycomb lattice, only holes residing in one of the two hole pockets can get localized. This differs qualitatively from hole pairs bound by magnon exchange, which is most attractive between holes residing in different momentum space pockets. On the honeycomb lattice, magnon exchange unambiguously leads to $f$-wave pairing, which is also observed experimentally. Using the collective-mode quantization of the Skyrmion, we determine the quantum numbers of the localized hole pairs. Again, $f$-wave symmetry is possible, but other competing pairing symmetries cannot be ruled out.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2014

Interfaces, Strings, and a Soft Mode in the Square Lattice Quantum Dimer Model

The quantum dimer model on the square lattice is equivalent to a $U(1)$ gauge theory. Quantum Monte Carlo calculations reveal that, for values of the Rokhsar-Kivelson (RK) coupling $λ< 1$, the theory exists in a confining columnar phase. The interfaces separating distinct columnar phases display plaquette order, which, however, is not realized as a bulk phase. Static "electric" charges are confined by flux tubes that consist of multiple strands, each carrying a fractionalized flux $\frac{1}{4}$. A soft pseudo-Goldstone mode emerges around $λ\approx 0$, long before one reaches the RK point at $λ= 1$.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2012

Symmetry Analysis of Holes Localized on a Skyrmion in a Doped Antiferromagnet

We use the low-energy effective field theory for holes coupled to the staggered magnetization in order to investigate the localization of holes on a Skyrmion in a square lattice antiferromagnet. When two holes get localized on the same Skyrmion, they form a bound state. The quantum numbers of the bound state are determined by the quantization of the collective modes of the Skyrmion. Remarkably, for p-wave states the quantum numbers are the same as those of a hole-pair bound by one-magnon exchange. Two holes localized on a Skyrmion with winding number $n = 1$ or 2 may have s- or d-wave symmetry as well. Possible relations with preformed Cooper pairs of high-temperature superconductors are discussed.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2011

Systematic Low-Energy Effective Field Theory for Magnons and Holes in an Antiferromagnet on the Honeycomb Lattice

Based on a symmetry analysis of the microscopic Hubbard and t-J models, a systematic low-energy effective field theory is constructed for hole-doped antiferromagnets on the honeycomb lattice. In the antiferromagnetic phase, doped holes are massive due to the spontaneous breakdown of the $SU(2)_s$ symmetry, just as nucleons in QCD pick up their mass from spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking. In the broken phase the effective action contains a single-derivative term, similar to the Shraiman-Siggia term in the square lattice case. Interestingly, an accidental continuous spatial rotation symmetry arises at leading order. As an application of the effective field theory we consider one-magnon exchange between two holes and the formation of two-hole bound states. As an unambiguous prediction of the effective theory, the wave function for the ground state of two holes bound by magnon exchange exhibits $f$-wave symmetry.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2011

Constraint Effective Potential of the Magnetization in the Quantum XY Model

Using an improved estimator in the loop-cluster algorithm, we investigate the constraint effective potential of the magnetization in the spin $\tfrac{1}{2}$ quantum XY model. The numerical results are in excellent agreement with the predictions of the corresponding low-energy effective field theory. After its low-energy parameters have been determined with better than permille precision, the effective theory makes accurate predictions for the constraint effective potential which are in excellent agreement with the Monte Carlo data. This shows that the effective theory indeed describes the physics in the low-energy regime quantitatively correctly.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2009

Microscopic Model versus Systematic Low-Energy Effective Field Theory for a Doped Quantum Ferromagnet

We consider a microscopic model for a doped quantum ferromagnet as a test case for the systematic low-energy effective field theory for magnons and holes, which is constructed in complete analogy to the case of quantum antiferromagnets. In contrast to antiferromagnets, for which the effective field theory approach can be tested only numerically, in the ferromagnetic case both the microscopic and the effective theory can be solved analytically. In this way the low-energy parameters of the effective theory are determined exactly by matching to the underlying microscopic model. The low-energy behavior at half-filling as well as in the single- and two-hole sectors is described exactly by the systematic low-energy effective field theory. In particular, for weakly bound two-hole states the effective field theory even works beyond perturbation theory. This lends strong support to the quantitative success of the systematic low-energy effective field theory method not only in the ferromagnetic but also in the physically most interesting antiferromagnetic case.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2009

Constraint Effective Potential of the Staggered Magnetization in an Antiferromagnet

We employ an improved estimator to calculate the constraint effective potential of the staggered magnetization in the spin $\tfrac{1}{2}$ quantum Heisenberg model using a loop-cluster algorithm. The first and second moment of the probability distribution of the staggered magnetization are in excellent agreement with the predictions of the systematic low-energy magnon effective field theory. We also compare the Monte Carlo data with the universal shape of the constraint effective potential of the staggered magnetization and study its approach to the convex effective potential in the infinite volume limit. In this way the higher-order low-energy parameter $k_0$ is determined from a fit to the numerical data.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2008

Systematic Effective Field Theory Investigation of Spiral Phases in Hole-Doped Antiferromagnets on the Honeycomb Lattice

Motivated by possible applications to the antiferromagnetic precursor of the high-temperature superconductor Na$_x$CoO$_2\cdot$yH$_2$O, we use a systematic low-energy effective field theory for magnons and holes to study different phases of doped antiferromagnets on the honeycomb lattice. The effective action contains a leading single-derivative term, similar to the Shraiman-Siggia term in the square lattice case, which gives rise to spirals in the staggered magnetization. Depending on the values of the low-energy parameters, either a homogeneous phase with four or a spiral phase with two filled hole pockets is energetically favored. Unlike in the square lattice case, at leading order the effective action has an accidental continuous spatial rotation symmetry. Consequently, the spiral may point in any direction and is not necessarily aligned with a lattice direction.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2007

Spiral phases and two-particle bound states from a systematic low-energy effective theory for magnons, electrons, and holes in an antiferromagnet

We have constructed a systematic low-energy effective theory for hole- and electron-doped antiferromagnets, where holes reside in momentum space pockets centered at $(\pm\fracπ{2a},\pm\fracπ{2a})$ and where electrons live in pockets centered at $(\fracπ{a},0)$ or $(0,\fracπ{a})$. The effective theory is used to investigate the magnon-mediated binding between two holes or two electrons in an otherwise undoped system. We derive the one-magnon exchange potential from the effective theory and then solve the corresponding two-quasiparticle Schrödinger equation. As a result, we find bound state wave functions that resemble $d_{x^2-y^2}$-like or $d_{xy}$-like symmetry. We also study possible ground states of lightly doped antiferromagnets.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2006

Systematic Low-Energy Effective Field Theory for Electron-Doped Antiferromagnets

In contrast to hole-doped systems which have hole pockets centered at $(\pm \fracπ{2a},\pm \fracπ{2a})$, in lightly electron-doped antiferromagnets the charged quasiparticles reside in momentum space pockets centered at $(\fracπ{a},0)$ or $(0,\fracπ{a})$. This has important consequences for the corresponding low-energy effective field theory of magnons and electrons which is constructed in this paper. In particular, in contrast to the hole-doped case, the magnon-mediated forces between two electrons depend on the total momentum $\vec P$ of the pair. For $\vec P = 0$ the one-magnon exchange potential between two electrons at distance $r$ is proportional to $1/r^4$, while in the hole case it has a $1/r^2$ dependence. The effective theory predicts that spiral phases are absent in electron-doped antiferromagnets.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2006

Homogeneous versus Spiral Phases of Hole-doped Antiferromagnets: A Systematic Effective Field Theory Investigation

Using the low-energy effective field theory for magnons and holes -- the condensed matter analog of baryon chiral perturbation theory for pions and nucleons in QCD -- we study different phases of doped antiferromagnets. We systematically investigate configurations of the staggered magnetization that provide a constant background field for doped holes. The most general configuration of this type is either constant itself or it represents a spiral in the staggered magnetization. Depending on the values of the low-energy parameters, a homogeneous phase, a spiral phase, or an inhomogeneous phase is energetically favored. The reduction of the staggered magnetization upon doping is also investigated.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv1999

Baryon-Pion Scattering in the 1/N_c Expansion: Tree Diagram Cancellations

Tree amplitudes for baryon-pion scattering are studied in the 1/N_c expansion. Generalized large-N_c consistency conditions are obtained to all orders in baryon mass splittings. For baryons with spin J ~ O(1), the leading order in N_c tree amplitudes can be evaluated keeping only terms up to a given finite order in baryon mass splittings.

hep-ph↗