Origin of non-Fermi liquid behavior in heavy fermion systems: A conceptual view

TL;DR

This paper proposes a semi-classical approach to explain non-Fermi liquid behavior in heavy fermion systems near quantum critical points, offering new insights into their magnetic properties and implications for high-Tc superconductivity.

Contribution

It introduces a semi-classical treatment of magnetic electronic states near QCPs to explain NFL behavior, challenging traditional quantum mechanical methods.

Findings

NFL behavior explained by semi-classical approach

Implications for understanding high-Tc superconductivity

Challenges to quantum mechanical treatment of magnetism

Abstract

We critically examine the non-Fermi liquid (NFL) behavior observed in heavy fermion systems located close to a magnetic instability and suggest a conceptual advance in physics in order to explain its origin. We argue that the treatment of electronic states responsible for magnetism near the Quantum Critical Point (QCP), should not be accomplished within the quantum mechanical formalism; instead they should be treated semi-classically. The observed NFL behavior can be explained within such a scenario. As a sequel we attempt to discuss its consequences for the explanation of high-TC superconductivity observed in Cuprates.