Heavy Fermions and Quantum Phase Transitions

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in understanding quantum phase transitions in heavy-fermion systems, highlighting new quantum critical points, phases, and their implications for electronic and magnetic properties.

Contribution

It summarizes recent experimental and theoretical discoveries of quantum criticality and phases in heavy-fermion compounds, and discusses future research directions.

Findings

Identification of new quantum critical points

Discovery of novel quantum phases

Insights into electronic and magnetic properties

Abstract

Quantum phase transitions arise in many-body systems due to competing interactions that promote rivaling ground states. Recent years have seen the identification of continuous quantum phase transitions, or quantum critical points, in a host of antiferromagnetic heavy-fermion compounds. Studies of the interplay between the various effects have revealed new classes of quantum critical points, and are uncovering a plethora of new quantum phases. At the same time, quantum criticality has provided fresh insights into the electronic, magnetic, and superconducting properties of the heavy-fermion metals. We review these developments, discuss the open issues, and outline some directions for future research.