arXiv subjects

M. Lavagna

Publications and source records attributed to M. Lavagna.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2001

Quantum Phase Transitions

We give a general introduction to quantum phase transitions in strongly-correlated electron systems. These transitions which occur at zero temperature when a non-thermal parameter $g$ like pressure, chemical composition or magnetic field is tuned to a critical value are characterized by a dynamic exponent $z$ related to the energy and length scales $Δ$ and $ξ$. Simple arguments based on an expansion to first order in the effective interaction allow to define an upper-critical dimension $D_{C}=4$ (where $D=d+z$ and $d$ is the spatial dimension) below which mean-field description is no longer valid. We emphasize the role of pertubative renormalization group (RG) approaches and self-consistent renormalized spin fluctuation (SCR-SF) theories to understand the quantum-classical crossover in the vicinity of the quantum critical point with generalization to the Kondo effect in heavy-fermion systems. Finally we quote some recent inelastic neutron scattering experiments performed on heavy-fermions which lead to unusual scaling law in $ω/T$ for the dynamical spin susceptibility revealing critical local modes beyond the itinerant magnetism scheme and mention new attempts to describe this local quantum critical point.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2000

Critical phenomena near the antiferromagnetic quantum critical point of Heavy-Fermions

We present a study of the critical phenomena around the quantum critical point in heavy-fermion systems. In the framework of the S=1/2 Kondo lattice model, we introduce an extended decoupling scheme of the Kondo interaction which allows one to treat the spin fluctuations and the Kondo effect on an equal footing. The calculations, developed in a self-consistent one-loop approximation, lead to the formation of a damped collective mode with a dynamic exponent z=2 in the case of an antiferromagnetic instability. The system displays a quantum-classical crossover at finite temperature depending how the energy of the mode, on the scale of the magnetic correlation length, compares to k_B T. The low temperature behavior, in the different regimes separated by the crossover temperatures, is then discussed for both 2- and 3-dimensional systems.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv1998

Dynamic Spin Correlation Function near the Antiferromagnetic Quantum Phase Transition of Heavy-Fermions

The dynamical spin susceptibility is studied in the magnetically-disordered phase of heavy-Fermion systems near the antiferromagnetic quantum phase transition. In the framework of the $S=1/2$ Kondo lattice model, we introduce a perturbative expansion treating the spin and Kondo-like degrees of freedom on an equal footing. The dynamical spin susceptibility displays a two-component behaviour in agreement with the inelastic neutron scattering (INS) experiments performed in $CeCu_{6}$, $Ce_{1-x}La_{x}Ru_{2}Si_{2}$ and $UPt_{3}$: a quasielastic q-independent peak as in a Fermi liquid theory, and a strongly q-dependent inelastic peak typical of a non-Fermi liquid behaviour. Very strikingly, the position of the inelastic peak is found to be pushed to zero at the antiferromagnetic transition. The picture is consistent with the neutron cross sections observed in INS experiments.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv1998

Supersymmetric Approach to Heavy-Fermion Systems

We present a new supersymmetric approach to the Kondo lattice model in order to describe simultaneously the quasiparticle excitations and the low-energy magnetic fluctuations in heavy-Fermion systems. This approach mixes the fermionic and the bosonic representation of the spin following the standard rules of superalgebra. Our results show the formation of a bosonic band within the hybridization gap reflecting the spin collective modes. The density of states at the Fermi level is strongly renormalized while the Fermi surface sum rule includes $n_{c}+1$ states. The dynamical susceptibility is made of a Fermi liquid superimposed on a localized magnetism contribution.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv1998

Spin Dynamics near the Quantum Critical Point of Heavy-Fermions

The dynamical spin susceptibility is studied in the magnetically-disordered phase of heavy-Fermion systems near the antiferromagnetic quantum phase transition. In the framework of the $S=1/2$ Kondo lattice model, we introduce a perturbative expansion treating the spin and Kondo-like degrees of freedom on an equal footing. The general expression of the dynamical spin susceptibility that we derive presents a two-component behaviour: a quasielastic peak as in a Fermi liquid theory, and a strongly q-dependent inelastic peak typical of a non-Fermi liquid behaviour. Very strikingly, the position of the inelastic peak is found to be pushed to zero at the antiferromagnetic transition with a vanishing relaxation rate. The comparison has been quantitatively made with Inelastic Neutron Scattering (INS) experiments performed in $CeCu_{6}$ and $Ce_{1-x}La_{x}Ru_{2}Si_{2}$. The excellent agreement that we have found gives strong support to a two-band model with new prospects for the study of the quantum critical phenomena in the vicinity of the magnetic phase transition.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv1997

Supersymmetry and Theory of Heavy-Fermions

We propose a new approach to the Kondo lattice in order to describe simultaneously the Kondo effect and the local magnetism. This approach relies on an original representation of the $S=1/2$ impurity spin in which the different degrees of freedom are represented by fermionic as well as bosonic variables. The magnetic instability is found at $J_c/D =0.67$ in definite improvement compared to usual fermionic mean- field theories. The dynamical susceptibility contains an inelastic peak in addition to the standard Lindhard-type Fermi liquid contribution. The Fermi surface sum rule includes $n_c+1$ states corresponding to large Fermi surfaces.

cond-mat.str-el↗