Path Integral of the Two Dimensional Su-Schrieffer-Heeger Model

TL;DR

This paper derives the thermodynamics of the 2D Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model using a path integral approach, revealing glassy-like behavior in heat capacity at low temperatures, especially in higher dimensions.

Contribution

It introduces a path integral method that accounts for variable-range electronic hopping in the 2D SSH model, providing new insights into its thermodynamic properties.

Findings

Heat capacity over temperature shows an upturn at low T.

Higher dimensionality enhances glassy-like behavior.

Method accounts for classical lattice and quantum electron paths.

Abstract

The equilibrium thermodynamics of the two dimensional Su-Schrieffer-Heeger Model is derived by means of a path integral method which accounts for the variable range of the electronic hopping processes. While the lattice degrees of freedom are classical functions of time and are integrated out exactly, the electron particle paths are treated quantum mechanically. The free energy of the system and its temperature derivatives are computed by summing at any $T$ over the ensemble of relevant particle paths which mainly contribute to the total partition function. In the low $T$ regime, the {\it heat capacity over T} ratio shows un upturn peculiar of a glassy like behavior. This feature is more sizeable in the square lattice than in the linear chain as the overall hopping potential contribution to the total action is larger in higher dimensionality.