From itinerant to local-moment antiferromagnetism in Kondo lattices: Adiabatic continuity versus quantum phase transitions

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Motivated by both experimental and theoretical activities, we discuss the fate of Kondo screening and possible quantum phase transitions in antiferromagnetically ordered phases of Kondo lattices. While transitions with topological changes of the Fermi surface may occur, we demonstrate that an entirely continuous evolution from itinerant to local-moment antiferromagnetism (i.e., from strong to negligible Kondo screening) is possible as well. This situation is in contrast to that in a nonsymmetry-broken situation where a quantum phase transition toward an exotic metallic spin-liquid state necessarily accompanies the disappearance of Kondo screening. We discuss criteria for the existence of topological transitions in the antiferromagnetic phase as well as implications for theoretical scenarios and for current experiments.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number125109
JournalPhysical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Volume78
Issue number12
Publication statusPublished - 19 Sept 2008
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes