Quantum phase transition in a two-dimensional Kondo-Heisenberg model: a Schwinger-boson large-N approach

Abstract

Strange metal behavior arises in heavy fermion metals close to antiferromagnetic transitions. An increasing amount of experiments indicates a link of such behavior to a Kondo breakdown quantum critical point. To shed light on this intriguing problem, we study the 2D Kondo-Heisenberg model using a dynamical large-N multichannel Schwinger boson approach. We identify and characterize the quantum phase transition from an antiferromagnetically ordered ground state to a Kondo-dominated paramagnetic state, and attribute a jump in certain phase shift to Kondo breakdown. In addition, we calculate transport and thermodynamic quantities and discuss them in the context of the experimental observations in quantum critical heavy fermion systems.