Chain breaks and the susceptibility of Sr_2Cu_{1-x}Pd_xO_{3+\delta} and other doped quasi one-dimensional antiferromagnets

We study the magnetic susceptibility of one-dimensional S=1/2 antiferromagnets containing non-magnetic impurities which cut the chain into finite segments. For the susceptibility of long anisotropic Heisenberg chain-segments with open boundaries we derive a parameter-free result at low temperatures using field theory methods and the Bethe Ansatz. The analytical result is verified by comparing with Quantum-Monte-Carlo calculations. We then show that the partitioning of the chain into finite segments can explain the Curie-like contribution observed in recent experiments on Sr_2Cu_{1-x}Pd_xO_{3+\delta}. Possible additional paramagnetic impurities seem to play only a minor role.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, final versio

Spin- and charge-density oscillations in spin chains and quantum wires

We analyze the spin- and charge-density oscillations near impurities in spin chains and quantum wires. These so-called Friedel oscillations give detailed information about the impurity and also about the interactions in the system. The temperature dependence of these oscillations explicitly shows the renormalization of backscattering and conductivity, which we analyze for a number of different impurity models. We are also able to analyze screening effects in one dimension. The relation to the Kondo effect and experimental consequences are discussed.Comment: Final published version. 15 pages in revtex format including 22 epsf-embedded figures. The latest version in PDF format is available from http://fy.chalmers.se/~eggert/papers/density-osc.pd

Universal cross-over behavior of a magnetic impurity and consequences for doping in spin-1/2 chains

We consider a magnetic impurity in the antiferromagnetic spin-1/2 chain which is equivalent to the two-channel Kondo problem in terms of the field theoretical description. Using a modification of the transfer-matrix density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) we are able to determine local and global properties in the thermodynamic limit. The cross-over function for the impurity susceptibility is calculated over a large temperature range, which exhibits universal data-collapse. We are also able to determine the local susceptibilities near the impurity, which show an interesting competition of boundary effects. This results in quantitative predictions for experiments on doped spin-1/2 chains, which could observe two-channel Kondo physics directly.Comment: 5 pages in revtex format including 3 embedded figures (using epsf). The latest version in PDF format is available from http://fy.chalmers.se/~eggert/papers/crossover.pdf . Accepted by PR

Transport and scattering in inhomogeneous quantum wires

We consider scattering and transport in interacting quantum wires that are connected to leads. Such a setup can be represented by a minimal model of interacting fermions with inhomogeneities in the form of sudden changes in interaction strength and/or velocity. The inhomogeneities generally cause relevant backscattering, so it is a priori unclear if a perfectly ballistic quantum wire can exist in the low temperature limit. We are able to identify such a perfectly conducting fixed point even for large abrupt changes, which in the considered model corresponds to a velocity matching condition. The general position dependent Green's function is calculated in the presence of a sudden change, which is confirmed numerically with high accuracy. The exact form of the interference pattern in the form of density oscillations around inhomogeneities can be used to estimate the effective strength of local backscattering sources.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures. Published version. For more information and the latest version see http://www.physik.uni-kl.de/eggert/papers/index.htm

Edge Logarithmic Corrections probed by Impurity NMR

Semi-infinite quantum spin chains display spin autocorrelations near the boundary with power-law exponents that are given by boundary conformal field theories. We show that NMR measurements on spinless impurities that break a quantum spin chain lead to a spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/T_1^edge that has a temperature dependence which is a direct probe of the anomalous boundary exponents. For the antiferromagnetic S=1/2 spin chain, we show that 1/T_1^edge behaves as T (log T)^2 instead of (log T)^1/2 for a bulk measurement. We show that, in the case of a one-dimensional conductor described by a Luttinger liquid, a similar measurement leads to a relaxation rate 1/T_1^{edge} behaving as T, independent of the anomalous exponent K_rho.Comment: 4 pages, 1 encapsulated figure, corrected typo

Universal alternating order around impurities in antiferromagnets

The study of impurities in antiferromagnets is of considerable interest in condensed matter physics. In this paper we address the elementary question of the effect of vacancies on the orientation of the surrounding magnetic moments in an antiferromagnet. In the presence of a magnetic field, alternating magnetic moments are induced, which can be described by a universal expression that is valid in any ordered antiferromagnet and turns out to be independent of temperature over a large range. The universality is not destroyed by quantum fluctuation, which is demonstrated by quantum Monte Carlo simulations in the two-dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnet. Physical predictions for finite doping are made, which are relevant for experiments probing Knight shifts and the order parameter.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures. The most recent version in PDF format can be found at http://www.physik.uni-kl.de/eggert/papers