Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1102.4628 · Physics Today

Quantum criticality

Subir Sachdev A, B. Keimer

Published Feb 1, 2011• 373 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

A phase transition brought on by quantum fluctuations at absolute zero may seem like an abstract theoretical idea of little practical consequence. But it is the key to explaining a wide variety of experiments.
DOI
10.1063/1.3554314

Related papers

The Thermodynamics of Quantum Critical Points

Z. Fisk

Thermodynamic signatures have been obtained for phase transitions that occur as temperatures approach absolute zero.

Science•Sep 10, 2009•4 citations

1イオン異方性を伴うS=1 XXZ鎖の四重臨界点

Shuichi Shiraishi

In quantum many body systems, phase transitions can occur even at absolute zero temperature due to quantum fluctuations.In particular, in low dimensional systems, the effects of fluctuations are strong, and despite the apparent simplicity of the model, it has a variety of non-trivial critical phenomena.We research the ground state of the S = 1 XXZ spin chain with single-ion anisotropy.The Hamiltonian of this model is expressed as

•Mar 25, 2025•0 citations

Quantum Phase Transitions Go Dynamical

Victor Gurarie

The observation of dynamical quantum phase transitions in an interacting many-body system breaks new ground in the study of matter out of thermal equilibrium.

Bulletin of the American Physical Society•Mar 2, 2020•0 citations

Quantum phase transitions

Matthias Vojta C

In recent years, quantum phase transitions have attracted the interest of both theorists and experimentalists in condensed matter physics. These transitions, which are accessed at zero temperature by variation of a non-thermal control parameter, can influence the behaviour of electronic systems over a wide range of the phase diagram. Quantum phase transitions occur as a result of competing ground state phases. The cuprate superconductors which can be tuned from a Mott insulating to a d -wave superconducting phase by carrier doping are a paradigmatic example. This review introduces important concepts of phase transitions and discusses the interplay of quantum and classical fluctuations near criticality. The main part of the article is devoted to bulk quantum phase transitions in condensed matter systems. Several classes of transitions will be briefly reviewed, pointing out, e.g., conceptual differences between ordering transitions in metallic and insulating systems. An interesting separate class of transitions is boundary phase transitions where only degrees of freedom of a subsystem become critical; this will be illustrated in a few examples. The article is aimed at bridging the gap between high-level theoretical presentations and research papers specialized in certain classes of materials. It will give an overview on a variety of different quantum transitions, critically discuss open theoretical questions, and frequently make contact with recent experiments in condensed matter physics.

arXiv:cond-mat/0309604•Reports on Progress in Physics•Nov 3, 2003•749 citations

Science of Quantum Phase Transitions and Quantum Criticalities

Masatoshi Imada

Butsuri•Feb 5, 2011•1 citation

Superconductivity from a melted insulator

S. Mukhopadhyay, Jorden Senior, Jaime Saez-Mollejo +4 more

Quantum phase transitions typically result in a broadened critical or crossover region at nonzero temperature. Josephson arrays are a model of this phenomenon, exhibiting a superconductor-insulator transition at a critical wave impedance, and a well-understood insulating phase. Yet high-impedance arrays used in quantum computing and metrology apparently evade this transition, displaying superconducting behavior deep into the nominally insulating regime. The absence of critical behavior in such devices is not well understood. Here we show that, unlike the typical quantum-critical broadening scenario, in Josephson arrays temperature dramatically shifts the critical region. This shift leads to a regime of superconductivity at high temperature, arising from the melted zero-temperature insulator. Our results quantitatively explain the low-temperature onset of superconductivity in nominally insulating regimes, and the transition to the strongly insulating phase. We further present, to our knowledge, the first understanding of the onset of anomalous-metallic resistance saturation. This work demonstrates a non-trivial interplay between thermal effects and quantum criticality. A practical consequence is that, counterintuitively, the coherence of high-impedance quantum circuits is expected to be stabilized by thermal fluctuations.

arXiv:2210.06508•Oct 12, 2022•0 citations
In recent years, quantum phase transitions have attracted the interest of both theorists and experimentalists in condensed matter physics. These transitions, which are accessed at zero temperature by variation of a non-thermal control parameter, can influence the behaviour of electronic systems over a wide range of the phase diagram. Quantum phase transitions occur as a result of competing ground state phases. The cuprate superconductors which can be tuned from a Mott insulating to a d -wave superconducting phase by carrier doping are a paradigmatic example. This review introduces important concepts of phase transitions and discusses the interplay of quantum and classical fluctuations near criticality. The main part of the article is devoted to bulk quantum phase transitions in condensed matter systems. Several classes of transitions will be briefly reviewed, pointing out, e.g., conceptual differences between ordering transitions in metallic and insulating systems. An interesting separate class of transitions is boundary phase transitions where only degrees of freedom of a subsystem become critical; this will be illustrated in a few examples. The article is aimed at bridging the gap between high-level theoretical presentations and research papers specialized in certain classes of materials. It will give an overview on a variety of different quantum transitions, critically discuss open theoretical questions, and frequently make contact with recent experiments in condensed matter physics.
Quantum phase transitions typically result in a broadened critical or crossover region at nonzero temperature. Josephson arrays are a model of this phenomenon, exhibiting a superconductor-insulator transition at a critical wave impedance, and a well-understood insulating phase. Yet high-impedance arrays used in quantum computing and metrology apparently evade this transition, displaying superconducting behavior deep into the nominally insulating regime. The absence of critical behavior in such devices is not well understood. Here we show that, unlike the typical quantum-critical broadening scenario, in Josephson arrays temperature dramatically shifts the critical region. This shift leads to a regime of superconductivity at high temperature, arising from the melted zero-temperature insulator. Our results quantitatively explain the low-temperature onset of superconductivity in nominally insulating regimes, and the transition to the strongly insulating phase. We further present, to our knowledge, the first understanding of the onset of anomalous-metallic resistance saturation. This work demonstrates a non-trivial interplay between thermal effects and quantum criticality. A practical consequence is that, counterintuitively, the coherence of high-impedance quantum circuits is expected to be stabilized by thermal fluctuations.