Two-channel pseudogap Kondo and Anderson models: Quantum phase transitions and non-Fermi liquids

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Contributors

  • Imke Schneider - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Lars Fritz - , University of Cologne (Author)
  • Frithjof B. Anders - , Dortmund University of Technology (Author)
  • Adel Benlagra - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Matthias Vojta - , Chair of Theoretical Solid State Physics, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)

Abstract

We discuss the two-channel Kondo problem with a pseudogap density of states p(ω) α |ω|r of the bath fermions. Combining both analytical and numerical renormalization group techniques, we characterize the impurity phases and quantum phase transitions of the relevant Kondo and Anderson models. The line of stable points, corresponding to the overscreened non-Fermi-liquid behavior of the metallic r = 0 case, is replaced by a stable particle-hole-symmetric intermediate-coupling fixed point for 0 < r < rmax ≈ 0.23. For r > rmax, this non-Fermi-liquid phase disappears, and instead a critical fixed point with an emergent spin-channel symmetry appears, controlling the quantum phase transition between two phases with stable spin and channel moments, respectively.We propose low-energy field theories to describe the quantum phase transitions, all being formulated in fermionic variables. We employ ϵ expansion techniques to calculate critical properties near the critical dimensions r = 0 and 1, the latter being potentially relevant for two-channel Kondo impurities in neutral graphene.We find the analytical results to be in excellent agreement with those obtained from applying Wilson's numerical renormalization group technique.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number125139
JournalPhysical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Volume84
Issue number12
Publication statusPublished - 29 Sept 2011
Peer-reviewedYes