T=0 heavy-fermion quantum critical point as an orbital-selective Mott transition

Phys Rev Lett. 2008 Dec 19;101(25):256404. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.256404. Epub 2008 Dec 19.

Abstract

We describe the T=0 quantum phase transition in heavy-fermion systems as an orbital-selective Mott transition (OSMT) using a cluster extension of dynamical mean-field theory. This transition is characterized by the emergence of a new intermediate energy scale corresponding to the opening of a pseudogap and the vanishing of the low-energy hybridization between light and heavy electrons. We identify the fingerprint of Mott physics in heavy electron systems with the appearance of surfaces in momentum space where the self-energy diverges and we derive experimental consequences of this scenario for photoemission, compressibility, optical conductivity, susceptibility, and specific heat.