Fermion-induced quantum criticality with two length scales in Dirac systems

Emilio Torres, Laura Classen, Igor F. Herbut, Michael M. Scherer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

The quantum phase transition to a Z3-ordered Kekulé valence bond solid in two-dimensional Dirac semimetals is governed by a fermion-induced quantum critical point, which renders the putatively discontinuous transition continuous. We study the resulting universal critical behavior in terms of a functional RG approach, which gives access to the scaling behavior on the symmetry-broken side of the phase transition, for general dimensions and number of Dirac fermions. In particular, we investigate the emergence of the fermion-induced quantum critical point for spacetime dimensions 2<D<4. We determine the integrated RG flow from the Dirac semimetal to the symmetry-broken regime and analyze the underlying fixed-point structure. We show that the fermion-induced criticality leads to a scaling form with two divergent length scales, due to the breaking of the discrete Z3 symmetry. This provides another source of scaling corrections, besides the one stemming from being in the proximity to the first-order transition.

Original languageEnglish
Article number125137
JournalPhysical Review B
Volume97
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - 22 Mar 2018
Externally publishedYes

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