Quantum critical point in heavy fermions

TL;DR

This paper discusses the significance of quantum critical points in heavy fermion systems, highlighting their role in understanding strongly correlated materials and reflecting on the development of related theoretical ideas over the past 15 years.

Contribution

It provides a personal account of the development and implications of the quantum critical point concept in heavy fermions, emphasizing its impact on the field.

Findings

Quantum criticality influences heavy fermion behavior

Scaling ideas are central to understanding these systems

The paper offers a historical perspective on theoretical developments

Abstract

The concept that heavy fermions are close to a quantum critical point and that this proximity determines their physical behavior, has opened new perspectives in the study of these systems. It has provided a new paradigm for understanding and probing the properties of these strongly correlated materials. Scaling ideas were important to establish this approach. We give below a brief and personal account of the genesis of some of these ideas 15 years ago, their implications and the future prospects for this exciting field.