Fermions in an anisotropic random magnetic field

We study the localization of fermions in an anisotropic random magnetic field in two dimensions. It is assumed that the randomness in a particular direction is stronger than those in the other directions. We consider a network model of zero field contours, where there are two types of randomness - the random tunneling matrix element at the saddle points and unidirectional random variation of the number of fermionic states following zero field contours. After averaging over the random complex tunneling amplitude, the problem is mapped to an SU(2N) random exchange quantum spin chain in the $N \to 0$ limit. We suggest that the fermionic state becomes critical in an anisotropic fashion.Comment: 5 pages, replaced by revised version, accepted for publication in Europhysics Letter

A Simple Mechanism for Unconventional Superconductivity in a Repulsive Fermion Model

Motivated by a scarcity of simple and analytically tractable models of superconductivity from strong repulsive interactions, we introduce a simple tight-binding lattice model of fermions with repulsive interactions that exhibits unconventional superconductivity (beyond BCS theory). The model resembles an idealized conductor-dielectric-conductor trilayer. The Cooper pair consists of electrons on opposite sides of the dielectric, which mediates the attraction. In the strong coupling limit, we use degenerate perturbation theory to show that the model reduces to a superconducting hard-core Bose-Hubbard model. Above the superconducting critical temperature, an analog of pseudo-gap physics results where the fermions remain Cooper paired with a large single-particle energy gap.Comment: 12+12 pages; 3 figures; v5 is a major revision with new additions: a conductor-dielectric-conductor trilayer interpretation, an elaborated introduction, figures 1 and 2, and sections 4.3.1 and 5.

One-dimensional itinerant ferromagnets with Heisenberg symmetry and the ferromagnetic quantum critical point

We study one-dimensional itinerant ferromagnets with Heisenberg symmetry near a ferromagnetic quantum critical point. It is shown that the Berry phase term arises in the effective action of itinerant ferromagnets when the full SU(2) symmetry is present. We explicitly demonstrate that dynamical critical exponent of the theory with the Berry term is $z=2 +{\rm O}(\epsilon^2)$ in the sense of $\epsilon$ expansion, as previously discovered in the Ising limit. It appears, however, that the universality class at the interacting fixed point is not the same. We point out that even though the critical theory in the Ising limit can be obtained by the standard Hertz-Millis approach, the Heisenberg limit is expected to be different. We also calculate the exact electron Green functions $G(x,t=0)$ and $G(x=0,t)$ near the transition in a range of temperature, which can be used for experimental signatures of the associated critical points.Comment: Replaced with final version accepted in PRB; minor changes from the previous versio

Halperin-Saslow modes as the origin of the low temperature anomaly in NiGa2S4NiGa_2S_4

The absence of magnetic long range order in the triangular lattice spin-1 antiferromagnet $NiGa$_2$S$_4$has prompted the search for a novel quantum ground state. In particular, several experiments suggest the presence of a linearly dispersing mode despite no long-range magnetic order. We show that the anomalous low temperature properties of NiGa$_2$S$_4$ can naturally be explained by the formulation developed by Halperin and Saslow where the linearly dispersing Halperin-Saslow mode may exist in the background of frozen spin moments and zero net magnetization. We provide highly non-trivial consistency checks on the existing experimental data and suggest future experiments that can further confirm the existence of the Halperin-Saslow mode. Our results place strong constraints on any microscopic theory of this material.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figur

Spin-orbit coupling in the metallic and spin-liquid phases of Na4Ir3O8

It has recently been proposed that Na4Ir3O8 is a weak Mott insulator at ambient pressure, supporting a three-dimensional spin liquid phase with a spinon Fermi surface. This proposal is consistent with recent experimental findings that the material becomes a metal upon increasing pressure or doping. In this work, we investigate the effect of the spin-orbit coupling arising from 5d Ir moments both in the metallic and spin liquid phases of Na4Ir3O8. The effective Hubbard model in terms of pseudospin j=1/2 Ir states is derived and its consequences to both metallic and spin liquid phases are studied. In particular, the model leads to enhanced Wilson ratio and strong temperature dependence of the Hall coefficient.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figure