On non-Fermi liquid quantum critical points in heavy fermion metals

TL;DR

This paper explores the theoretical nature of non-Fermi liquid behavior at quantum critical points in heavy fermion metals, proposing unconventional Fermi surface properties and potential divergence of electronic and magnetic transition scales.

Contribution

It introduces the idea that the quantum critical state may have a sharp Fermi surface with non-standard volume and discusses possible divergence in electronic and magnetic transition scales.

Findings

Proposes a sharp Fermi surface with non-Luttinger volume at quantum criticality.

Suggests electronic structure change may diverge separately from magnetic phenomena.

Highlights the complexity of non-Fermi liquid behavior in heavy fermion metals.

Abstract

Heavy electron metals on the verge of a quantum phase transition to magnetism show a number of unusual non-fermi liquid properties which are poorly understood. This article discusses in a general way various theoretical aspects of this phase transition with an eye toward understanding the non-fermi liquid phenomena. We suggest that the non-Fermi liquid quantum critical state may have a sharp Fermi surface with power law quasiparticles but with a volume not set by the usual Luttinger rule. We also discuss the possibility that the electronic structure change associated with the possible Fermi surface reconstruction may diverge at a different time/length scale from that associated with magnetic phenomena.