Quantum phase transitions and dimensional reduction in antiferromagnets with interlayer frustration

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Oliver Rösch - , University of Cologne (Author)
  • Matthias Vojta - , University of Cologne (Author)

Abstract

For magnets with a fully frustrated interlayer interaction, we argue that the quantum phase transitions from a paramagnetic to an antiferromagnetic ground state, driven by pressure or magnetic field, are asymptotically three dimensional, due to interaction-generated nonfrustrated interlayer couplings. However, the relevant crossover scale is tiny, such that two-dimensional behavior occurs in an experimentally relevant low-temperature regime. In the pressure-driven case the phase transition may split, in which case an Ising symmetry related to interlayer bond order is broken before magnetism occurs. We discuss the relation of our results to recent experiments on BaCu Si2 O6.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number180401
JournalPhysical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Volume76
Issue number18
Publication statusPublished - 7 Nov 2007
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes