Spectral scaling and quantum critical behaviour in the pseudogap Anderson model

The pseudogap Anderson impurity model provides a classic example of an essentially local quantum phase transition. Here we study its single-particle dynamics in the vicinity of the symmetric quantum critical point (QCP) separating generalized Fermi liquid and local moment phases, via the local moment approach. Both phases are shown to be characterized by a low-energy scale that vanishes at the QCP; and the universal scaling spectra, on all energy scales, are obtained analytically. The spectrum precisely at the QCP is also obtained; its form showing clearly the non-Fermi liquid, interacting nature of the fixed point.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figure

A spin-dependent local moment approach to the Anderson impurity model

We present an extension of the local moment approach to the Anderson impurity model with spin-dependent hybridization. By employing the two-self-energy description, as originally proposed by Logan and co-workers, we applied the symmetry restoration condition for the case with spin-dependent hybridization. Self-consistent ground states were determined through variational minimization of the ground state energy. The results obtained with our spin-dependent local moment approach applied to a quantum dot system coupled to ferromagnetic leads are in good agreement with those obtained from previous work using numerical renormalization group calculations

Determination of Higgs-boson couplings at the LHC

We investigate the determination of Higgs boson couplings to gauge bosons and fermions at the LHC from data on Higgs boson production and decay. We demonstrate that very mild theoretical assumptions, which are valid in general multi-Higgs doublet models, are sufficient to allow the extraction of absolute values of the couplings rather than just ratios of the couplings. For Higgs masses below 200 GeV we find accuracies of 10-40% for the Higgs couplings and the total Higgs boson width after several years of LHC running. The sensitivity of the Higgs coupling measurements to deviations from the Standard Model predictions is studied for an MSSM scenario.Comment: 9 pages, contribution to the proceedings of the XXXIXth Rencontres de Moriond, La Thuile, March 200

Dynamics and transport properties of heavy fermions: theory

The paramagnetic phase of heavy fermion systems is investigated, using a non-perturbative local moment approach to the asymmetric periodic Anderson model within the framework of dynamical mean field theory. The natural focus is on the strong coupling Kondo-lattice regime wherein single-particle spectra, scattering rates, dc transport and optics are found to exhibit w/w_L,T/w_L scaling in terms of a single underlying low-energy coherence scale w_L. Dynamics/transport on all relevant (w,T)-scales are encompassed, from the low-energy behaviour characteristic of the lattice coherent Fermi liquid, through incoherent effective single-impurity physics likewise found to arise in the universal scaling regime, to non-universal high-energy scales; and which description in turn enables viable quantitative comparison to experiment.Comment: 27 pages, 12 figure

Wondrous Cetaceans

The Renaissance was named for the cultural rebirth it witnessed. It meant a decrease in the widespread artistic and scientific suppression of the Middle Ages. As a result, Europeans enjoyed a new exploratory enthusiasm, which brought them to the far corners of the world. The concept of exoticism was renewed by European contact with places like China and Brazil. But as well as new cultural connections being bolstered, immense scientific discovery was going on. Science, then named natural philosophy, was seeing breakthrough after breakthrough. Scientists and interested persons brought knowledge and specimens from far and wide together in curiosity cabinets, museums, and galleries. These wunderkammern, as German speakers called them then, were truly an embodiment of the scientifically inquisitive times. What better then, to embody these cabinets of curiosities, than an object which featured in so many of them: the narwhal tusk? [excerpt

Dynamics and scaling in the periodic Anderson model

The periodic Anderson model (PAM) captures the essential physics of heavy fermion materials. Yet even for the paramagnetic metallic phase, a practicable many-body theory that can simultaneously handle all energy scales while respecting the dictates of Fermi liquid theory at low energies, and all interaction strengths from the strongly correlated Kondo lattice through to weak coupling, has remained quite elusive. Aspects of this problem are considered in the present paper where a non-perturbative local moment approach (LMA) to single-particle dynamics of the asymmetric PAM is developed within the general framework of dynamical mean-field theory. All interaction strengths and energy scales are encompassed, although our natural focus is the Kondo lattice regime of essentially localized $f$-spins but general conduction band filling, characterised by an exponentially small lattice coherence scale $\omega_{L}$. Particular emphasis is given to the resultant universal scaling behaviour of dynamics in the Kondo lattice regime as an entire function of $\omega^{\prime} =\omega/\omega_{L}$, including its dependence on conduction band filling, $f$-level asymmetry and lattice type.A rich description arises, encompassing both coherent Fermi liquid behaviour at low-$\omega^{\prime}$ and the crossover to effective single-impurity scaling physics at higher energies -- but still in the $\omega/\omega_{L}$-scaling regime, and as such incompatible with the presence of two-scale `exhaustion' physics, which is likewise discussed.Comment: 22 pages in EPJB format, 14 figures; accepted for publication in EPJB; (small change in the comments section, no change in manuscript

Optical and transport properties of heavy fermions: theory compared to experiment

Employing a local moment approach to the periodic Anderson model within the framework of dynamical mean-field theory, direct comparison is made between theory and experiment for the dc transport and optical conductivities of paramagnetic heavy fermion and intermediate valence metals. Four materials, exhibiting a diverse range of behaviour in their transport/optics, are analysed in detail: CeB6, YbAl3, CeAl3 and CeCoIn5. Good agreement between theory and experiment is in general found, even quantitatively, and a mutually consistent picture of transport and optics results.Comment: 21 pages, 10 figures; Replacement with minor style changes made to avoid postscript file error

Decoupling Properties of MSSM particles in Higgs and Top Decays

We study the supersymmetric (SUSY) QCD radiative corrections, at the one-loop level, to $h^0$, $H^{\pm}$ and t quark decays, in the context of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) and in the decoupling limit. The decoupling behaviour of the various MSSM sectors is analyzed in some special cases, where some or all of the SUSY mass parameters become large as compared to the electroweak scale. We show that in the decoupling limit of both large SUSY mass parameters and large CP-odd Higgs mass, the $\Gamma (h^0\to b \bar b)$ decay width approaches its Standard Model value at one loop, with the onset of decoupling being delayed for large $\tan\beta$ values. However, this decoupling does not occur if just the SUSY mass parameters are taken large. A similar interesting non-decoupling behaviour, also enhanced by $\tan\beta$, is found in the SUSY-QCD corrections to the $\Gamma (H^+\to t \bar b)$ decay width at one loop. In contrast, the SUSY-QCD corrections in the $\Gamma (t\to W^+ b)$ decay width do decouple and this decoupling is fast.Comment: 19 pages, 10 figures. Invited talk presented by M.J.Herrero at the 5th International Symposium on Radiative Corrections (RADCOR 2000) Carmel CA, USA, 11-15 September, 200

Local quantum phase transition in the pseudogap Anderson model: scales, scaling and quantum critical dynamics

The pseudogap Anderson impurity model provides a paradigm for understanding local quantum phase transitions, in this case between generalised fermi liquid and degenerate local moment phases. Here we develop a non-perturbative local moment approach to the generic asymmetric model, encompassing all energy scales and interaction strengths and leading thereby to a rich description of the problem. We investigate in particular underlying phase boundaries, the critical behaviour of relevant low-energy scales, and single-particle dynamics embodied in the local spectrum. Particular attention is given to the resultant universal scaling behaviour of dynamics close to the transition in both the GFL and LM phases, the scale-free physics characteristic of the quantum critical point itself, and the relation between the two.Comment: 39 pages, 19 figure

Field-dependent dynamics of the Anderson impurity model

Single-particle dynamics of the Anderson impurity model in the presence of a magnetic field $H$ are considered, using a recently developed local moment approach that encompasses all energy scales, field and interaction strengths. For strong coupling in particular, the Kondo scaling regime is recovered. Here the frequency ($\omega/\omega_{\rm K}$) and field ($H/\omega_{\rm K}$) dependence of the resultant universal scaling spectrum is obtained in large part analytically, and the field-induced destruction of the Kondo resonance investigated. The scaling spectrum is found to exhibit the slow logarithmic tails recently shown to dominate the zero-field scaling spectrum. At the opposite extreme of the Fermi level, it gives asymptotically exact agreement with results for statics known from the Bethe ansatz. Good agreement is also found with the frequency and field-dependence of recent numerical renormalization group calculations. Differential conductance experiments on quantum dots in the presence of a magnetic field are likewise considered; and appear to be well accounted for by the theory. Some new exact results for the problem are also established