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. 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. To understand quantum phase transitions, it is useful to contrast them to classical phase transitions (CPT) (also called thermal phase transitions). 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 ) and is of first order. A phase transition from a ferromagnet to a paramagnet is continuous and is of second order.

About this result
This page is automatically generated and may contain information that is not correct, complete, up-to-date, or relevant to your search query. The same applies to every other page on this website. Please make sure to verify the information with EPFL's official sources.
Related courses (1)
PHYS-420: Solid state physics IV
Solid State Physics IV provides a materials and experimental technique oriented introduction to the electronic and magnetic properties of strongly correlated electron systems. Established knowledge is
Related lectures (8)
Shot Noise in Quantum Point Contacts
Explores shot noise in quantum point contacts, charge fluctuations, experimental results, and temperature dependence of quasiparticles.
Quantum-Classical Dynamics Connection
Explores the connections between quantum and classical dynamics, focusing on conservation laws and quantum-classical relationships.
Aharonov-Bohm Effect: Magnetic Monopoles
Explores the Aharonov-Bohm effect and magnetic monopoles in quantum mechanics.
Show more
Related publications (86)

Field-controlled multicritical behavior and emergent universality in fully frustrated quantum magnets

Bruce Normand

Phase transitions in condensed matter are a source of exotic emergent properties. We study the fully frustrated bilayer Heisenberg antiferromagnet to demonstrate that an applied magnetic field creates a previously unknown emergent criticality. The quantum ...
Berlin2024

Ultrafast control of emergent quantum matter probed by electron microscopy

Benoît Guilhem Michel Binh Truc

In the quest for controlling materials' properties, light as an external stimulus has a special place as it can create new states of matter and enable their ultrafast manipulation. In particular, spintronics, an exciting emergent field relying on the elect ...
EPFL2023

Charge multipole correlations and order in Cs2TaCl6

Henrik Moodysson Rønnow, Ivica Zivkovic, Jian Rui Soh, Jana Pásztorová

We examine the role of charge, structural, and spin degrees of freedom in the previously poorly understood phase transition in the 5d1 transition-metal double perovskite Cs2TaCl6 using a combination of computational and experimental techniques. Our heat ca ...
AMER PHYSICAL SOC2023
Show more
Related concepts (2)
Zero-point energy
Zero-point energy (ZPE) is the lowest possible energy that a quantum mechanical system may have. Unlike in classical mechanics, quantum systems constantly fluctuate in their lowest energy state as described by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. Therefore, even at absolute zero, atoms and molecules retain some vibrational motion. Apart from atoms and molecules, the empty space of the vacuum also has these properties. According to quantum field theory, the universe can be thought of not as isolated particles but continuous fluctuating fields: matter fields, whose quanta are fermions (i.
Condensed matter physics
Condensed matter physics is the field of physics that deals with the macroscopic and microscopic physical properties of matter, especially the solid and liquid phases which arise from electromagnetic forces between atoms. More generally, the subject deals with condensed phases of matter: systems of many constituents with strong interactions among them. More exotic condensed phases include the superconducting phase exhibited by certain materials at extremely low cryogenic temperature, the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic phases of spins on crystal lattices of atoms, and the Bose–Einstein condensate found in ultracold atomic systems.

Graph Chatbot

Chat with Graph Search

Ask any question about EPFL courses, lectures, exercises, research, news, etc. or try the example questions below.

DISCLAIMER: The Graph Chatbot is not programmed to provide explicit or categorical answers to your questions. Rather, it transforms your questions into API requests that are distributed across the various IT services officially administered by EPFL. Its purpose is solely to collect and recommend relevant references to content that you can explore to help you answer your questions.