Fermion-induced quantum critical points

Zi-Xiang Li, Yi-Fan Jiang, Shao-Kai Jian and Hong Yao ()
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Zi-Xiang Li: Tsinghua University
Yi-Fan Jiang: Tsinghua University
Shao-Kai Jian: Tsinghua University
Hong Yao: Tsinghua University

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-6

Abstract: Abstract A unified theory of quantum critical points beyond the conventional Landau–Ginzburg–Wilson paradigm remains unknown. According to Landau cubic criterion, phase transitions should be first-order when cubic terms of order parameters are allowed by symmetry in the Landau–Ginzburg free energy. Here, from renormalization group analysis, we show that second-order quantum phase transitions can occur at such putatively first-order transitions in interacting two-dimensional Dirac semimetals. As such type of Landau-forbidden quantum critical points are induced by gapless fermions, we call them fermion-induced quantum critical points. We further introduce a microscopic model of SU(N) fermions on the honeycomb lattice featuring a transition between Dirac semimetals and Kekule valence bond solids. Remarkably, our large-scale sign-problem-free Majorana quantum Monte Carlo simulations show convincing evidences of a fermion-induced quantum critical points for N = 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, consistent with the renormalization group analysis. We finally discuss possible experimental realizations of the fermion-induced quantum critical points in graphene and graphene-like materials.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00167-6

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