Quantum fluctuations and strong mass renormalization in NiCl2-4SC(NH2)2

Abstract

In a number of quantum paramagnets, magnetic field can induce a quantum phase transition to an antiferromagnetic state which exists for a range of fields Hc1 < H < Hc2. Generally, these compounds exhibit a significant asymmetry in their properties at low- and high-field transitions. Here we present detailed specific heat and thermal conductivity measurements in NiCl2-4SC(NH2)2 together with analytical and numerical results. We show that the asymmetry is caused by a strong renormalization of the effective mass of spin excitations due to quantum fluctuations for H<Hc1 that are absent for H<Hc2.