Physics – Condensed Matter – Strongly Correlated Electrons
Scientific paper
2010-02-22
Physics
Condensed Matter
Strongly Correlated Electrons
49 pages, 19 figures; Lectures at the Les Houches School on "Modern theories of correlated electron systems", France, May 2009
Scientific paper
I begin with a proposed global phase diagram of the cuprate superconductors as a function of carrier concentration, magnetic field, and temperature, and highlight its connection to numerous recent experiments. The phase diagram is then used as a point of departure for a pedagogical review of various quantum phases and phase transitions of insulators, superconductors, and metals. The bond operator method is used to describe the transition of dimerized antiferromagnetic insulators between magnetically ordered states and spin-gap states. The Schwinger boson method is applied to frustrated square lattice antiferromagnets: phase diagrams containing collinear and spirally ordered magnetic states, Z_2 spin liquids, and valence bond solids are presented, and described by an effective gauge theory of spinons. Insights from these theories of insulators are then applied to a variety of symmetry breaking transitions in d-wave superconductors. The latter systems also contain fermionic quasiparticles with a massless Dirac spectrum, and their influence on the order parameter fluctuations and quantum criticality is carefully discussed. I conclude with an introduction to strong coupling problems associated with symmetry breaking transitions in two-dimensional metals, where the order parameter fluctuations couple to a gapless line of fermionic excitations along the Fermi surface.
No associations
LandOfFree
Quantum phase transitions of antiferromagnets and the cuprate superconductors does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Quantum phase transitions of antiferromagnets and the cuprate superconductors, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Quantum phase transitions of antiferromagnets and the cuprate superconductors will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-372614