Magnetic and Ising quantum phase transitions in a model for isoelectronically tuned iron pnictides

Abstract

Considerations of the bad-metal behavior led to an early proposal for a quantum critical point under a P for As doping in the iron pnictides, which has since been experimentally observed. We study here an effective model for the isoelectronically tuned pnictides using a large-$N$ approach. The model contains antiferromagnetic and Ising-nematic order parameters appropriate for $J_1$-$J_2$ exchange-coupled local moments on an Fe square lattice, and a damping caused by coherent itinerant electrons. The zero-temperature magnetic and Ising transitions are concurrent and essentially continuous. The order-parameter jumps are very small, and are further reduced by the inter-plane coupling; quantum criticality hence occurs over a wide dynamical range. Our results provide the basis for further studies on the quantum critical properties in the P-doped iron arsenides.