arXiv subjects

William Witczak-Krempa

Publications and source records attributed to William Witczak-Krempa.

72 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

A Holographic Model for Quantum Critical Responses

We analyze the dynamical response functions of strongly interacting quantum critical states described by conformal field theories (CFTs). We construct a self-consistent holographic model that incorporates the relevant scalar operator driving the quantum critical phase transition. Focusing on the finite temperature dynamical conductivity $σ(ω,T)$, we study its dependence on our model parameters, notably the scaling dimension of the relevant operator. It is found that the conductivity is well-approximated by a simple ansatz proposed by Katz et al [1] for a wide range of parameters. We further dissect the conductivity at large frequencies $ω>> T$ using the operator product expansion, and show how it reveals the spectrum of our model CFT. Our results provide a physically-constrained framework to study the analytic continuation of quantum Monte Carlo data, as we illustrate using the O(2) Wilson-Fisher CFT. Finally, we comment on the variation of the conductivity as we tune away from the quantum critical point, setting the stage for a comprehensive analysis of the phase diagram near the transition.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

Bounds on corner entanglement in quantum critical states

The entanglement entropy in many gapless quantum systems receives a contribution from corners in the entangling surface in 2+1d. It is characterized by a universal function $a(θ)$ depending on the opening angle $θ$, and contains pertinent low energy information. For conformal field theories (CFTs), the leading expansion coefficient in the smooth limit $θ\to π$ yields the stress tensor 2-point function coefficient $C_T$ . Little is known about $a(θ)$ beyond that limit. Here, we show that the next term in the smooth limit expansion contains information beyond the 2- and 3-point correlators of the stress tensor. We conjecture that it encodes 4-point data, making it much richer. Further, we establish strong constraints on this and higher order smooth-limit coefficients. We also show that $a(θ)$ is lower-bounded by a non-trivial function multiplied by the central charge $C_T$ , e.g. $a(π/2) \geq (π^2 \ln 2)C_T /6$. This bound for 90-degree corners is nearly saturated by all known results, including recent numerics for the interacting Wilson-Fisher quantum critical points (QCPs). A bound is also given for the Rényi entropies. We illustrate our findings using O(N) QCPs, free boson and Dirac fermion CFTs, strongly coupled holographic ones, and other models. Exact results are also given for Lifshitz quantum critical points, and for conical singularities in 3+1d.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Universal corner entanglement from twist operators

The entanglement entropy in three-dimensional conformal field theories (CFTs) receives a logarithmic contribution characterized by a regulator-independent function $a(θ)$ when the entangling surface contains a sharp corner with opening angle $θ$. In the limit of a smooth surface ($θ\rightarrowπ$), this corner contribution vanishes as $a(θ)=σ\,(θ-π)^2$. In arXiv:1505.04804, we provided evidence for the conjecture that for any $d=3$ CFT, this corner coefficient $σ$ is determined by $C_T$, the coefficient appearing in the two-point function of the stress tensor. Here, we argue that this is a particular instance of a much more general relation connecting the analogous corner coefficient $σ_n$ appearing in the $n$th Rényi entropy and the scaling dimension $h_n$ of the corresponding twist operator. In particular, we find the simple relation $h_n/σ_n=(n-1)π$. We show how it reduces to our previous result as $n\rightarrow 1$, and explicitly check its validity for free scalars and fermions. With this new relation, we show that as $n\rightarrow 0$, $σ_n$ yields the coefficient of the thermal entropy, $c_S$. We also reveal a surprising duality relating the corner coefficients of the scalar and the fermion. Further, we use our result to predict $σ_n$ for holographic CFTs dual to four-dimensional Einstein gravity. Our findings generalize to other dimensions, and we emphasize the connection to the interval Rényi entropies of $d=2$ CFTs.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

Universality of corner entanglement in conformal field theories

We study the contribution to the entanglement entropy of (2+1)-dimensional conformal field theories coming from a sharp corner in the entangling surface. This contribution is encoded in a function $a(θ)$ of the corner opening angle, and was recently proposed as a measure of the degrees of freedom in the underlying CFT. We show that the ratio $a(θ)/C_T$, where $C_T$ is the central charge in the stress tensor correlator, is an almost universal quantity for a broad class of theories including various higher-curvature holographic models, free scalars and fermions, and Wilson-Fisher fixed points of the $O(N)$ models with $N=1,2,3$. Strikingly, the agreement between these different theories becomes exact in the limit $θ\rightarrow π$, where the entangling surface approaches a smooth curve. We thus conjecture that the corresponding ratio is universal for general CFTs in three dimensions.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

Constraining quantum critical dynamics: 2+1D Ising model and beyond

Quantum critical (QC) phase transitions generally lead to the absence of quasiparticles. The resulting correlated quantum fluid, when thermally excited, displays rich universal dynamics. We establish non-perturbative constraints on the linear-response dynamics of conformal QC systems at finite temperature, in spatial dimensions above one. Specifically, we analyze the large frequency/momentum asymptotics of observables, which we use to derive powerful sum rules and inequalities. The general results are applied to the O(N) Wilson-Fisher fixed point, describing the QC Ising model when N = 1. We focus on the order parameter and scalar susceptibilities, and the dynamical shear viscosity. Connections to simulations, experiments and gauge theories are made.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

Conformal field theories at non-zero temperature: operator product expansions, Monte Carlo, and holography

We compute the non-zero temperature conductivity of conserved flavor currents in conformal field theories (CFTs) in 2+1 spacetime dimensions. At frequencies much greater than the temperature, $\hbarω>> k_B T$, the $ω$ dependence can be computed from the operator product expansion (OPE) between the currents and operators which acquire a non-zero expectation value at T > 0. Such results are found to be in excellent agreement with quantum Monte Carlo studies of the O(2) Wilson-Fisher CFT. Results for the conductivity and other observables are also obtained in vector 1/N expansions. We match these large $ω$ results to the corresponding correlators of holographic representations of the CFT: the holographic approach then allows us to extrapolate to small $\hbar ω/(k_B T)$. Other holographic studies implicitly only used the OPE between the currents and the energy-momentum tensor, and this yields the correct leading large $ω$ behavior for a large class of CFTs. However, for the Wilson-Fisher CFT a relevant "thermal" operator must also be considered, and then consistency with the Monte Carlo results is obtained without a previously needed ad hoc rescaling of the T value. We also establish sum rules obeyed by the conductivity of a wide class of CFTs.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

Interacting Weyl semimetals: characterization via the topological Hamiltonian and its breakdown

Weyl semimetals (WSMs) constitute a 3D phase with linearly-dispersing Weyl excitations at low energy, which lead to unusual electrodynamic responses and open Fermi arcs on boundaries. We derive a simple criterion to identify and characterize WSMs in an interacting setting using the exact electronic Green's function at zero frequency, which defines a topological Bloch Hamiltonian. We apply this criterion by numerically analyzing, via cluster and other methods, interacting lattice models with and without time-reversal symmetry. We identify various mechanisms for how interactions move and renormalize Weyl fermions. Our methods remain valid in the presence of long-ranged Coulomb repulsion. Finally, we introduce a WSM-like phase for which our criterion breaks down due to fractionalization: the charge-carrying Weyl quasiparticles are orthogonal to the electron.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

Correlated quantum phenomena in the strong spin-orbit regime

We discuss phenomena arising from the combined influence of electron correlation and spin-orbit coupling, with an emphasis on emergent quantum phases and transitions in heavy transition metal compounds with 4d and 5d elements. A common theme is the influence of spin-orbital entanglement produced by spin-orbit coupling, which influences the electronic and magnetic structure. In the weak-to-intermediate correlation regime, we show how non-trivial band-like topology leads to a plethora of phases related to topological insulators. We expound these ideas using the example of pyrochlore iridates, showing how many novel phases such as the Weyl semi-metal, axion insulator, topological Mott insulator, and topological insulators may arise in this context. In the strong correlation regime, we argue that spin-orbital entanglement fully or partially removes orbital degeneracy, reducing or avoiding the normally ubiquitous Jahn-Teller effect. As we illustrate for the honeycomb lattice iridates and double perovskites, this leads to enhanced quantum fluctuations of the spin-orbital entangled states and the chance to promote exotic quantum spin liquid and multipolar ordered ground states. Connections to experiments, materials, and future directions are discussed.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

Quantum critical charge response from higher derivatives: is more different?

We present new possibilities for the charge response in the quantum critical regime in 2+1D using holography, and compare them with field theory and recent quantum Monte Carlo results. We show that a family of (infinitely many) higher derivative terms in the gravitational bulk leads to behavior far richer than what was previously obtained. For example, we prove that the conductivity becomes unbounded, undermining previously obtained constraints. We further find a non-trivial and infinite set of theories that have a self-dual conductivity. Particle-vortex or S duality plays a key role; notably, it maps theories with a finite number of bulk terms to ones with an infinite number. Many properties such as sum rules and stability conditions are proved.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

The dynamics of quantum criticality via Quantum Monte Carlo and holography

Understanding the real time dynamics of quantum systems without quasiparticles constitutes an important yet challenging problem. We study the superfluid-insulator quantum-critical point of bosons on a two-dimensional lattice, a system whose excitations cannot be described in a quasiparticle basis. We present detailed quantum Monte Carlo results for two separate lattice realizations: their low-frequency conductivities are found to have the same universal dependence on imaginary frequency and temperature. We then use the structure of the real time dynamics of conformal field theories described by the holographic gauge/gravity duality to make progress on the difficult problem of analytically continuing the Monte Carlo data to real time. Our method yields quantitative and experimentally testable results on the frequency-dependent conductivity near the quantum critical point, and on the spectrum of quasinormal modes in the vicinity of the superfluid-insulator quantum phase transition. Extensions to other observables and universality classes are discussed.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Dispersing quasinormal modes in 2+1 dimensional conformal field theories

We study the charge response of conformal field theories (CFTs) at non-zero temperature in 2+1 dimensions using the AdS/CFT correspondence. A central role is played by the quasinormal modes (QNMs), specifically, the poles and zeros of the current correlators. We generalize our recent study of the QNMs of the a.c. charge conductivity to include momentum dependence. This sheds light on the various excitations in the CFT. We begin by discussing the R-current correlators of the N=8 SU(N) super-Yang-Mills theory at its conformal fixed point using holography. For instance, transitions in the QNM spectrum as a function of momentum clearly identify hydrodynamic-to-relativistic crossovers. We then extend our study to include four-derivative terms in the gravitational description allowing us to study more generic charge response as well as the role of S-duality, which plays a central role in understanding the correlators. The presence of dispersing Drude-like QNMs can lead to new behavior, distinct from what occurs in the aforementioned gauge theory. We also extend previous conductivity sum rules to finite momentum and discuss their interpretation in the gravity picture. A comparison is finally made with the conformal fixed point of the vector O(N) model in the large-N limit.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Pyrochlore electrons under pressure, heat and field: shedding light on the iridates

We study the finite temperature and magnetic field phase diagram of electrons on the pyrochlore lattice subject to a local repulsion as a model for the pyrochlore iridates. We provide the most general symmetry-allowed Hamiltonian, including next-nearest neighbour hopping, and relate it to a Slater-Koster based Hamiltonian for the iridates. It captures Lifshitz and/or thermal transitions between several phases such as metals, semimetals, topological insulators and Weyl semimetals, and gapped antiferromagnets with different orders. Our results on the charge conductivity, both DC and optical, Hall coefficient, magnetization and susceptibility show good agreement with recent experiments and provide new predictions. As such, our effective model sheds light on the pyrochlore iridates in a unified way.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

The quasi-normal modes of quantum criticality

We study charge transport of quantum critical points described by conformal field theories in 2+1 spacetime dimensions. The transport is described by an effective field theory on an asymptotically anti-de Sitter spacetime, expanded to fourth order in spatial and temporal gradients. The presence of a horizon at non-zero temperatures implies that this theory has quasi-normal modes with complex frequencies. The quasi-normal modes determine the poles and zeros of the conductivity in the complex frequency plane, and so fully determine its behavior on the real frequency axis, at frequencies both smaller and larger than the absolute temperature. We describe the role of particle-vortex or S-duality on the conductivity, specifically how it maps poles to zeros and vice versa. These analyses motivate two sum rules obeyed by the quantum critical conductivity: the holographic computations are the first to satisfy both sum rules, while earlier Boltzmann-theory computations satisfy only one of them. Finally, we compare our results with the analytic structure of the O(N) model in the large-N limit, and other CFTs.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Universal transport near a quantum critical Mott transition in two dimensions

We discuss the universal transport signatures near a zero-temperature continuous Mott transition between a Fermi liquid (FL) and a quantum spin liquid in two spatial dimensions. The correlation-driven transition occurs at fixed filling and involves fractionalization of the electron: upon entering the spin liquid, a Fermi surface of neutral spinons coupled to an internal gauge field emerges. We present a controlled calculation of the value of the zero temperature universal resistivity jump predicted to occur at the transition. More generally, the behavior of the universal scaling function that collapses the temperature and pressure dependent resistivity is derived, and is shown to bear a strong imprint of the emergent gauge fluctuations. We further predict a universal jump of the thermal conductivity across the Mott transition, which derives from the breaking of conformal invariance by the damped gauge field, and leads to a violation of the Wiedemann-Franz law in the quantum critical region. A connection to organic salts is made, where such a transition might occur. Finally, we present some transport results for the pure rotor O(N) CFT.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2012

Correlation effects on 3D topological phases: from bulk to boundary

Topological phases of quantum matter defy characterization by conventional order parameters but can exhibit quantized electro-magnetic response and/or protected surface states. We examine such phenomena in a model for three-dimensional correlated complex oxides, the pyrochlore iridates. The model realizes interacting topological insulators with and without time-reversal symmetry, and topological Weyl semimetals. We use cellular dynamical mean field theory, a method that incorporates quantum-many-body effects and allows us to evaluate the magneto-electric topological response coefficient in correlated systems. This invariant is used to unravel the presence of an interacting axion insulator absent within a simple mean field study. We corroborate our bulk results by studying the evolution of the topological boundary states in the presence of interactions. Consequences for experiments and for the search for correlated materials with symmetry-protected topological order are given.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2012

Topological and magnetic phases of interacting electrons in the pyrochlore iridates

We construct a model for interacting electrons with strong spin orbit coupling in the pyrochlore iridates. We establish the importance of the direct hopping process between the Ir atoms and use the relative strength of the direct and indirect hopping as a generic tuning parameter to study the correlation effects across the iridates family. We predict novel quantum phase transitions between conventional and/or topologically non-trivial phases. At weak coupling, we find topological insulator and metallic phases. As one increases the interaction strength, various magnetic orders emerge. The topological Weyl semi-metal phase is found to be realized in these different orders, one of them being the all-in/all-out pattern. Our findings establish the possible magnetic ground states for the iridates and suggest the generic presence of the Weyl semi-metal phase in correlated magnetic insulators on the pyrochlore lattice. We discus the implications for existing and future experiments.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2011

Gauge-field fluctuations in 3D topological Mott insulators

We study the low-energy properties of three-dimensional (3D) topological Mott insulators which can be viewed as strong topological insulators of spinons interacting with a three-dimensional gauge field. The low-energy behavior of such systems is dominated by the two-dimensional (2D) gapless surface spinons coupled to the bulk gauge field. We find that a dimensional crossover from 3D to 2D in the gauge field fluctuations may occur as the systems thickness and/or temperature is varied. In the thin sample limit, the gauge field fluctuations effectively become 2D and the problem becomes analogous to the standard 2D spinon-gauge field theory. In the 3D limit, the bulk gauge field fluctuations lead to a low-energy theory for the coupled system that is more controlled than for the pure 2D case. We discuss various experimental signatures such as the heat capacity scaling as T ln 1/T as well as modified Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yoshida interactions on the surface.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2010

Nonequilibrium quantum criticality in bilayer itinerant ferromagnets

We present a theory of nonequilibrium quantum criticality in a coupled bilayer system of itinerant electron magnets. The model studied consists of the first layer subjected to an inplane current and open to an external substrate. The second layer is closed and subject to no direct external drive, but couples to the first layer via short-ranged spin exchange interaction. No particle exchange is assumed between the layers. Starting from a microscopic fermionic model, we derive an effective action in terms of two coupled bosonic fields which are related to the magnetization fluctuations of the two layers. When there is no interlayer coupling, the two bosonic modes possess different dynamical critical exponents z with z=2 (z=3) for the first (second) layer. This results in multi-scale quantum criticality in the coupled system. It is shown that the linear coupling between the two fields leads to a low energy fixed point characterized by the larger dynamical critical exponent z=3. The perturbative renormalization group is used to compute the correlation length in the quantum disordered and quantum critical regimes. We also derive the stochastic dynamics obeyed by the critical fluctuations in the quantum critical regime. Comparing the nonequilibrium situation to the thermal equilibrium scenario, where the whole system is at a temperature T, we find that the nonequilibrium drive does not always play the role of temperature.

cond-mat.str-el↗