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Quantum phase transition in a common metal

Nature volume 419, pages 459–462 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

The classical theory of solids, based on the quantum mechanics of single electrons moving in periodic potentials, provides an excellent description of substances ranging from semiconducting silicon to superconducting aluminium. Over the last fifteen years, it has become increasingly clear that there are substances for which the conventional approach fails. Among these are certain rare earth compounds1,2 and transition metal oxides3,4, including high-temperature superconductors5,6. A common feature of these materials is complexity, in the sense that they have relatively large unit cells containing heterogeneous mixtures of atoms. Although many explanations have been put forward for their anomalous properties7, it is still possible that the classical theory might suffice. Here we show that a very common chromium alloy has some of the same peculiarities as the more exotic materials, including a quantum critical point8, a strongly temperature-dependent Hall resistance4,5 and evidence for a ‘pseudogap’9. This implies that complexity is not a prerequisite for unconventional behaviour. Moreover, it should simplify the general task of explaining anomalous properties because chromium is a relatively simple system in which to work out in quantitative detail the consequences of the conventional theory of solids.

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Figure 1: Magnetic ordering (Néel) temperature and zero-temperature properties of Cr1-xVx near its quantum critical point.
Figure 2: Temperature-dependent electrical properties near the quantum critical point of Cr1-xVx.
Figure 3: Electronic scattering and density of states, as measured by temperature dependence of electrical conductivity and magnetic susceptibility.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to P. Coleman and Q. Si for discussions. The work at the University of Chicago was supported by the National Science Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. NEC Research Institute, 4 Independence Way, Princeton, New Jersey, 08540, USA

    A. Yeh, Yeong-Ah Soh, J. Brooke & G. Aeppli

  2. The James Franck Institute and Department of Physics, The University of Chicago, Illinois, 60637, USA

    A. Yeh, J. Brooke & T. F. Rosenbaum

  3. H.H. Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, BS8 1TL, Bristol, UK

    S. M. Hayden

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  1. A. Yeh
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Correspondence to G. Aeppli.

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Yeh, A., Soh, YA., Brooke, J. et al. Quantum phase transition in a common metal. Nature 419, 459–462 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature01044

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