Infinite-randomness quantum Ising critical fixed points

Olexei Motrunich, Siun Chuon Mau, David A. Huse, Daniel S. Fisher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

254 Scopus citations

Abstract

We examine the ground state of the random quantum Ising model in a transverse field using a generalization of the Ma-Dasgupta-Hu renormalization group (RG) scheme. For spatial dimensionality (Formula presented) we find that at strong randomness the RG flow for the quantum critical point is towards an infinite-randomness fixed point, as in one dimension. This is consistent with the results of a recent quantum Monte Carlo study by Pich et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 5916 (1998)], including estimates of the critical exponents from our RG that agree well with those from the quantum Monte Carlo. The same qualitative behavior appears to occur for three dimensions; we have not yet been able to determine whether or not it persists to arbitrarily high d. Some consequences of the infinite-randomness fixed point for the quantum critical scaling behavior are discussed. Because frustration is irrelevant in the infinite-randomness limit, the same fixed point should govern both ferromagnetic and spin-glass quantum critical points. This RG maps the random quantum Ising model with strong disorder onto a novel type of percolation/aggregation process.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1160-1172
Number of pages13
JournalPhysical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Volume61
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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