Mott Quantum Critical Points at Finite Doping.

We demonstrate that a finite-doping quantum critical point (QCP) naturally descends from the existence of a first-order Mott transition in the phase diagram of a strongly correlated material. In a prototypical case of a first-order Mott transition the surface associated with the equation of state for the homogeneous system is "folded" so that in a range of parameters stable metallic and insulating phases exist and are connected by an unstable metallic branch. Here we show that tuning the chemical potential, the zero-temperature equation of state gradually unfolds. Under general conditions, we find that the Mott transition evolves into a first-order transition between two metals, associated with a phase separation region ending in the finite-doping QCP. This scenario is here demonstrated solving a minimal multiorbital Hubbard model relevant for the iron-based superconductors, but its origin-the splitting of the atomic ground state multiplet by a small energy scale, here Hund's coupling-is much more general. A strong analogy with cuprate superconductors is traced.

Trapping and cooling fermionic atoms into Mott and Néel states.

We perform a theoretical study of a fermionic gas with two hyperfine states confined to an optical lattice. We derive a generic state diagram as a function of interaction strength, particle number, and confining potential. We discuss the central density, the double occupancy, and their derivatives as probes for the Mott state, connecting our findings to the recent experiment of Jördens et al. [Nature (London) 455, 204 (2008)10.1038/nature07244]. Using entropic arguments we compare two different strategies to reach the antiferromagnetic state in the presence of a trapping potential.

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

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.

Surprises in the phase diagram of an anderson impurity model for a single C60(n-) molecule.

We find by Wilson numerical renormalization group and conformal field theory that a three-orbital Anderson impurity model for a C60(n-) molecule has a very rich phase diagram which includes non-Fermi-liquid stable and unstable fixed points with interesting properties, most notably high sensitivity to doping n. We discuss the implications of our results to the conductance behavior of C60-based single-molecule transistor devices.

Nontrivial fixed point in a twofold orbitally degenerate Anderson impurity model.

We study a twofold orbitally degenerate Anderson impurity model which shows a nontrivial fixed point similar to that of the two-impurity Kondo model, but remarkably more robust, as it can only be destabilized by orbital- or gauge-symmetry breaking. The impurity model is interesting per se, but here our interest is rather in the possibility that it might be representative of a strongly correlated lattice model close to a Mott transition. We argue that this lattice model should unavoidably encounter the nontrivial fixed point just before the Mott transition and react to its instability by spontaneous generation of an orbital, spin-orbital or superconducting order parameter.