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{{Short description|Transition between different phases of matter at zero temperature}}
{{Short description|Transition between different phases of matter at zero temperature}}


{{Quantum book backlink|Condensed matter and solid-state physics}}
{{Quantum book backlink|Condensed matter and solid-state physics}}
{{Quantum article nav|previous=Physics:Quantum spin Hall effect|previous label=Spin Hall effect|next=Physics:Quantum critical point|next label=Critical point}}


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In [[HandWiki:Physics|physics]], a '''quantum phase transition''' ('''QPT''') is a [[Phase transition|phase transition]] between different [[Physics:Quantum phases|quantum phases]] ([[Physics:Phase (matter)|phases of matter]] at [[Physics:Absolute zero|zero temperature]]). Contrary to classical phase transitions, quantum phase transitions can only be accessed by varying a physical parameter—such as [[Magnetic field|magnetic field]] or pressure—at [[Physics:Absolute zero|absolute zero]] temperature. The transition describes an abrupt change in the [[Physics:Ground state|ground state]] of a many-body system due to its quantum fluctuations. Such a quantum phase transition can be a second-order phase transition.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Jaeger|first1=Gregg|title=The Ehrenfest Classification of Phase Transitions: Introduction and Evolution|journal=Archive for History of Exact Sciences|date=1 May 1998|volume=53|issue=1|pages=51–81|doi=10.1007/s004070050021|s2cid=121525126}}</ref> Quantum phase transitions can also be represented by the topological fermion condensation quantum phase transition, see e.g. strongly correlated quantum spin liquid. In case of three dimensional  Fermi liquid, this transition transforms the [[Physics:Fermi surface|Fermi surface]] into a Fermi volume. Such a transition can be a first-order phase transition, for it transforms two dimensional structure ([[Physics:Fermi surface|Fermi surface]]) into three dimensional.  As a result, the topological charge of Fermi liquid changes abruptly, since it takes only one of a discrete set of values.
In physics, a '''quantum phase transition''' ('''QPT''') is a phase transition between different [[Physics:Quantum phases|quantum phases]] (phases of matter at zero temperature). Contrary to classical phase transitions, quantum phase transitions can only be accessed by varying a physical parameter—such as magnetic field or pressure—at absolute zero temperature. The transition describes an abrupt change in the ground state of a many-body system due to its quantum fluctuations. Such a quantum phase transition can be a second-order phase transition.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Jaeger|first1=Gregg|title=The Ehrenfest Classification of Phase Transitions: Introduction and Evolution|journal=Archive for History of Exact Sciences|date=1 May 1998|volume=53|issue=1|pages=51–81|doi=10.1007/s004070050021|s2cid=121525126}}</ref> Quantum phase transitions can also be represented by the topological fermion condensation quantum phase transition, see e.g. strongly correlated quantum spin liquid. In case of three dimensional  Fermi liquid, this transition transforms the Fermi surface into a Fermi volume. Such a transition can be a first-order phase transition, for it transforms two dimensional structure (Fermi surface) into three dimensional.  As a result, the topological charge of Fermi liquid changes abruptly, since it takes only one of a discrete set of values.
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==Classical description==
==Classical description==


To understand quantum phase transitions, it is useful to contrast them to [[Phase transition|classical phase transitions]] (CPT) (also called thermal phase transitions).<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Jaeger|first1=Gregg|title=The Ehrenfest Classification of Phase Transitions: Introduction and Evolution|journal=Archive for History of Exact Sciences|date=1 May 1998|volume=53|issue=1|pages=51–81|doi=10.1007/s004070050021|s2cid=121525126}}</ref> A CPT describes a cusp in the thermodynamic properties of a system. It signals a reorganization of the particles; A typical example is the [[Physics:Freezing|freezing]] transition of water describing the transition between liquid and solid. The classical phase transitions are driven by a competition between the [[Physics:Energy|energy]] of a system and the [[Entropy|entropy]] of its thermal fluctuations. A classical system does not have entropy at zero temperature and therefore no phase transition can occur. Their order is determined by the first discontinuous derivative of a thermodynamic potential.
To understand quantum phase transitions, it is useful to contrast them to classical phase transitions (CPT) (also called thermal phase transitions).<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Jaeger|first1=Gregg|title=The Ehrenfest Classification of Phase Transitions: Introduction and Evolution|journal=Archive for History of Exact Sciences|date=1 May 1998|volume=53|issue=1|pages=51–81|doi=10.1007/s004070050021|s2cid=121525126}}</ref> A CPT describes a cusp in the thermodynamic properties of a system. It signals a reorganization of the particles; A typical example is the freezing transition of water describing the transition between liquid and solid. The classical phase transitions are driven by a competition between the energy of a system and the entropy of its thermal fluctuations. A classical system does not have entropy at zero temperature and therefore no phase transition can occur. Their order is determined by the first discontinuous derivative of a thermodynamic potential.


A phase transition from water to ice, for example, involves latent heat (a discontinuity of the [[Physics:Internal energy|internal energy]] <math>U</math>) and is of first order. A phase transition from a [[Physics:Ferromagnet|ferromagnet]] to a paramagnet is continuous and is of second order. (See [[Phase transition|phase transition]] for Ehrenfest's classification of phase transitions by the derivative of free energy which is discontinuous at the transition). These continuous transitions from an ordered to a disordered phase are described by an order parameter, which is zero in the disordered and nonzero in the ordered phase. For the aforementioned ferromagnetic transition, the order parameter would represent the total magnetization of the system.
A phase transition from water to ice, for example, involves latent heat (a discontinuity of the internal energy <math>U</math>) and is of first order. A phase transition from a ferromagnet to a paramagnet is continuous and is of second order. (See phase transition for Ehrenfest's classification of phase transitions by the derivative of free energy which is discontinuous at the transition). These continuous transitions from an ordered to a disordered phase are described by an order parameter, which is zero in the disordered and nonzero in the ordered phase. For the aforementioned ferromagnetic transition, the order parameter would represent the total magnetization of the system.


Although the thermodynamic average of the order parameter is zero in the disordered state, its fluctuations can be nonzero and become long-ranged in the vicinity of the critical point, where their typical length scale ''ξ'' (correlation length) and typical fluctuation decay time scale ''τ<sub>c</sub>'' (correlation time) diverge:
Although the thermodynamic average of the order parameter is zero in the disordered state, its fluctuations can be nonzero and become long-ranged in the vicinity of the critical point, where their typical length scale ''ξ'' (correlation length) and typical fluctuation decay time scale ''τ<sub>c</sub>'' (correlation time) diverge:
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:<math>\epsilon = \frac{T-T_c}{T_c} </math>
:<math>\epsilon = \frac{T-T_c}{T_c} </math>


is defined as the relative deviation from the critical temperature ''T<sub>c</sub>''. We call ''&nu;'' the ([[Correlation length|correlation length]]) ''[[Physics:Critical exponent|critical exponent]]'' and ''z'' the ''dynamical critical exponent''. Critical behavior of nonzero temperature phase transitions is fully described by classical thermodynamics; [[Physics:Quantum mechanics|quantum mechanics]] does not play any role even if the actual phases require a quantum mechanical description (e.g. [[Physics:Superconductivity|superconductivity]]).
is defined as the relative deviation from the critical temperature ''T<sub>c</sub>''. We call ''&nu;'' the (correlation length) ''critical exponent'' and ''z'' the ''dynamical critical exponent''. Critical behavior of nonzero temperature phase transitions is fully described by classical thermodynamics; [[Physics:Quantum mechanics|quantum mechanics]] does not play any role even if the actual phases require a quantum mechanical description (e.g. superconductivity).


==Quantum description==
==Quantum description==
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Talking about ''quantum'' phase transitions means talking about transitions at ''T'' = 0: by tuning a non-temperature parameter like pressure, chemical composition or magnetic field, one could suppress e.g. some transition temperature like the Curie or Néel temperature to 0 K.
Talking about ''quantum'' phase transitions means talking about transitions at ''T'' = 0: by tuning a non-temperature parameter like pressure, chemical composition or magnetic field, one could suppress e.g. some transition temperature like the Curie or Néel temperature to 0 K.


As a system in equilibrium at zero temperature is always in its lowest-energy state (or an equally weighted superposition if the lowest-energy is degenerate), a QPT cannot be explained by [[Physics:Thermal fluctuations|thermal fluctuations]]. Instead, quantum fluctuations, arising from Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, drive the loss of [[Physics:Order and disorder|order]] characteristic of a QPT. The QPT occurs at the [[Physics:Quantum critical point|quantum critical point]] (QCP), where quantum fluctuations driving the transition diverge and become scale invariant in space and time.  
As a system in equilibrium at zero temperature is always in its lowest-energy state (or an equally weighted superposition if the lowest-energy is degenerate), a QPT cannot be explained by thermal fluctuations. Instead, quantum fluctuations, arising from Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, drive the loss of order characteristic of a QPT. The QPT occurs at the [[Physics:Quantum critical point|quantum critical point]] (QCP), where quantum fluctuations driving the transition diverge and become scale invariant in space and time.  


Although absolute zero is not physically realizable, characteristics of the transition can be detected in the system's low-temperature behavior near the critical point. At nonzero temperatures, classical fluctuations with an energy scale of ''k<sub>B</sub>T'' compete with the quantum fluctuations of energy scale ''ħω.'' Here ''ω'' is the characteristic frequency of the quantum oscillation and is inversely proportional to the correlation time. Quantum fluctuations dominate the system's behavior in the region where ''ħω'' > ''k<sub>B</sub>T'', known as the quantum critical region. This quantum critical behavior manifests itself in unconventional and unexpected physical behavior like novel non Fermi liquid phases. From a theoretical point of view, a phase diagram like the one shown on the right is expected: the QPT separates an ordered from a disordered phase (often, the low temperature disordered phase is referred to as 'quantum' disordered).
Although absolute zero is not physically realizable, characteristics of the transition can be detected in the system's low-temperature behavior near the critical point. At nonzero temperatures, classical fluctuations with an energy scale of ''k<sub>B</sub>T'' compete with the quantum fluctuations of energy scale ''ħω.'' Here ''ω'' is the characteristic frequency of the quantum oscillation and is inversely proportional to the correlation time. Quantum fluctuations dominate the system's behavior in the region where ''ħω'' > ''k<sub>B</sub>T'', known as the quantum critical region. This quantum critical behavior manifests itself in unconventional and unexpected physical behavior like novel non Fermi liquid phases. From a theoretical point of view, a phase diagram like the one shown on the right is expected: the QPT separates an ordered from a disordered phase (often, the low temperature disordered phase is referred to as 'quantum' disordered).
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*{{annotated link|Physics:Quantum phases}}
*{{annotated link|Physics:Quantum phases}}
*{{annotated link|Physics:Quantum critical point}}
*{{annotated link|Physics:Quantum critical point}}
== See also ==
{{#invoke:PhysicsQC|tocHeadingAndList|Physics:Quantum basics/See also}}


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Statistical mechanics]]
[[Category:Statistical mechanics]]


{{Sourceattribution|Quantum phase transition}}
{{Author|Harold Foppele}}
 
{{Sourceattribution|Physics:Quantum phase transition|1}}

Latest revision as of 12:27, 20 May 2026



← Back to Condensed matter and solid-state physics
← Previous : Spin Hall effect
Next : Critical point →

In physics, a quantum phase transition (QPT) is a phase transition between different quantum phases (phases of matter at zero temperature). Contrary to classical phase transitions, quantum phase transitions can only be accessed by varying a physical parameter—such as magnetic field or pressure—at absolute zero temperature. The transition describes an abrupt change in the ground state of a many-body system due to its quantum fluctuations. Such a quantum phase transition can be a second-order phase transition.[1] Quantum phase transitions can also be represented by the topological fermion condensation quantum phase transition, see e.g. strongly correlated quantum spin liquid. In case of three dimensional Fermi liquid, this transition transforms the Fermi surface into a Fermi volume. Such a transition can be a first-order phase transition, for it transforms two dimensional structure (Fermi surface) into three dimensional. As a result, the topological charge of Fermi liquid changes abruptly, since it takes only one of a discrete set of values.

Quantum phase transition.

Classical description

To understand quantum phase transitions, it is useful to contrast them to classical phase transitions (CPT) (also called thermal phase transitions).[2] A CPT describes a cusp in the thermodynamic properties of a system. It signals a reorganization of the particles; A typical example is the freezing transition of water describing the transition between liquid and solid. The classical phase transitions are driven by a competition between the energy of a system and the entropy of its thermal fluctuations. A classical system does not have entropy at zero temperature and therefore no phase transition can occur. Their order is determined by the first discontinuous derivative of a thermodynamic potential.

A phase transition from water to ice, for example, involves latent heat (a discontinuity of the internal energy U) and is of first order. A phase transition from a ferromagnet to a paramagnet is continuous and is of second order. (See phase transition for Ehrenfest's classification of phase transitions by the derivative of free energy which is discontinuous at the transition). These continuous transitions from an ordered to a disordered phase are described by an order parameter, which is zero in the disordered and nonzero in the ordered phase. For the aforementioned ferromagnetic transition, the order parameter would represent the total magnetization of the system.

Although the thermodynamic average of the order parameter is zero in the disordered state, its fluctuations can be nonzero and become long-ranged in the vicinity of the critical point, where their typical length scale ξ (correlation length) and typical fluctuation decay time scale τc (correlation time) diverge:

ξ∝|ϵ|−ν=(|T−Tc|Tc)−ν
τc∝ξz∝|ϵ|−νz,

where

ϵ=T−TcTc

is defined as the relative deviation from the critical temperature Tc. We call ν the (correlation length) critical exponent and z the dynamical critical exponent. Critical behavior of nonzero temperature phase transitions is fully described by classical thermodynamics; quantum mechanics does not play any role even if the actual phases require a quantum mechanical description (e.g. superconductivity).

Quantum description

Diagram of temperature (T) and pressure (p) showing the quantum critical point (QCP) and quantum phase transitions.

Talking about quantum phase transitions means talking about transitions at T = 0: by tuning a non-temperature parameter like pressure, chemical composition or magnetic field, one could suppress e.g. some transition temperature like the Curie or Néel temperature to 0 K.

As a system in equilibrium at zero temperature is always in its lowest-energy state (or an equally weighted superposition if the lowest-energy is degenerate), a QPT cannot be explained by thermal fluctuations. Instead, quantum fluctuations, arising from Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, drive the loss of order characteristic of a QPT. The QPT occurs at the quantum critical point (QCP), where quantum fluctuations driving the transition diverge and become scale invariant in space and time.

Although absolute zero is not physically realizable, characteristics of the transition can be detected in the system's low-temperature behavior near the critical point. At nonzero temperatures, classical fluctuations with an energy scale of kBT compete with the quantum fluctuations of energy scale ħω. Here ω is the characteristic frequency of the quantum oscillation and is inversely proportional to the correlation time. Quantum fluctuations dominate the system's behavior in the region where ħω > kBT, known as the quantum critical region. This quantum critical behavior manifests itself in unconventional and unexpected physical behavior like novel non Fermi liquid phases. From a theoretical point of view, a phase diagram like the one shown on the right is expected: the QPT separates an ordered from a disordered phase (often, the low temperature disordered phase is referred to as 'quantum' disordered).

At high enough temperatures, the system is disordered and purely classical. Around the classical phase transition, the system is governed by classical thermal fluctuations (light blue area). This region becomes narrower with decreasing energies and converges towards the quantum critical point (QCP). Experimentally, the 'quantum critical' phase, which is still governed by quantum fluctuations, is the most interesting one.

See also

See also

Table of contents (198 articles)

Index

Full contents

9. Quantum optics and experiments (5) Back to index
Experimental quantum physics: qubits, dilution refrigerators, quantum communication, and laboratory systems.
Experimental quantum physics: qubits, dilution refrigerators, quantum communication, and laboratory systems.
14. Plasma and fusion physics (8) Back to index
Conceptual illustration of plasma physics in a fusion context, showing magnetically confined ionized gas in a tokamak and the collective behavior governed by electromagnetic fields and transport processes.
Conceptual illustration of plasma physics in a fusion context, showing magnetically confined ionized gas in a tokamak and the collective behavior governed by electromagnetic fields and transport processes.

References

  1. ↑ Jaeger, Gregg (1 May 1998). "The Ehrenfest Classification of Phase Transitions: Introduction and Evolution". Archive for History of Exact Sciences 53 (1): 51–81. doi:10.1007/s004070050021. 
  2. ↑ Jaeger, Gregg (1 May 1998). "The Ehrenfest Classification of Phase Transitions: Introduction and Evolution". Archive for History of Exact Sciences 53 (1): 51–81. doi:10.1007/s004070050021. 


Author: Harold Foppele


Source attribution: Physics:Quantum phase transition

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