A Quantum Critical Point from Flavours on a Compact Space

TL;DR

This paper investigates a 2+1 dimensional defect field theory on a sphere under magnetic field, revealing a quantum critical point characterized by diverging susceptibilities, a massless meson mode, and a persistent diamagnetic response.

Contribution

It identifies a novel quantum critical point in a holographic defect theory, analyzing its phase transition, critical exponents, and meson spectrum behavior.

Findings

Divergence of second derivatives of free energy with exponent -2/3.

Presence of a massless meson mode at the critical point.

Persistent diamagnetic response similar to mesoscopic systems.

Abstract

We analyse a $2+1$ dimensional defect field theory on a two sphere in an external magnetic field. The theory is holographically dual to probe D5-branes in global AdS$_5\times S^5$ background. At any finite magnetic field only the confined phase of the theory is realised. There is a first order quantum phase transition, within the confined phase of theory, ending on a quantum critical point of a second order phase transition. We analyse the condensate and magnetisation of theory and construct its phase diagram. We study the critical exponents near the quantum critical point and find that the second derivatives of the free energy, with respect to the bare mass and the magnetic field, diverge with a critical exponent of $-2/3$. Next, we analyse the meson spectrum of the theory and identify a massless mode at the critical point signalling a diverging correlation length of the quantum fluctuations. We find that the derivative of the meson mass with respect to the bare mass also diverges with a critical exponent of $-2/3$. Finally, our studies of the magnetisation uncover a persistent diamagnetic response similar to that in mesoscopic systems, such as quantum dots and nano tubes.