Entropy paradox in strongly correlated Fermi systems

TL;DR

This paper explores the complex behavior of strongly correlated Fermi systems near quantum critical points, revealing new solutions to Landau equations that explain non-Fermi-liquid phenomena and entropy paradoxes.

Contribution

It identifies two classes of solutions to Landau equations, including a novel non-idempotent Fermi surface swelling state that accounts for NFL behavior.

Findings

Existence of two distinct quasiparticle solutions depending on interaction regularity.

Identification of a non-idempotent Fermi surface solution with entropy paradox.

Support from heavy-fermion experiments for the proposed scenario.

Abstract

A system of interacting, identical fermions described by standard Landau Fermi-liquid (FL) theory can experience a rearrangement of its Fermi surface if the correlations grow sufficiently strong, as occurs at a quantum critical point where the effective mass diverges. As yet, this phenomenon defies full understanding, but salient aspects of the non-Fermi-liquid (NFL) behavior observed beyond the quantum critical point are still accessible within the general framework of the Landau quasiparticle picture. Self-consistent solutions of the coupled Landau equations for the quasiparticle momentum distribution $n(p)$ and quasiparticle energy spectrum $\epsilon(p)$ are shown to exist in two distinct classes, depending on coupling strength and on whether the quasiparticle interaction is regular or singular at zero momentum transfer. One class of solutions maintains the idempotency condition $n^2(p)=n(p)$ of standard FL theory at zero temperature $T$ while adding pockets to the Fermi surface. The other solutions are characterized by a swelling of the Fermi surface and a flattening of the spectrum $\epsilon(p)$ over a range of momenta in which the quasiparticle occupancies lie between 0 and 1 even at T=0. The latter, non-idempotent solution is revealed by analysis of a Poincar\'e mapping associated with the fundamental Landau equation connecting $n(p)$ and $\epsilon(p)$ and validated by solution of a variational condition that yields the symmetry-preserving ground state. Paradoxically, this extraordinary solution carries the burden of a large temperature-dependent excess entropy down to very low temperatures, threatening violation of the Nernst Theorem. It is argued that certain low-temperature phase transitions offer effective mechanisms for shedding the entropy excess. Available measurements in heavy-fermion compounds provide concrete support for such a scenario.