Second-order phase transitions and divergent linear response in dynamical mean-field theory

Abstract

Second-order phase transitions appear as a divergence in one of the linear response functions. For a system of correlated electrons, the relevant divergent response can and does involve many-particle observables, most famously the double occupancy. Generally, evaluating the linear response function of many-particle observables requires a many-particle generalization of the Bethe-Salpeter equation. However, here I show that the divergence of linear response functions in dynamical mean-field theory is governed by a two-particle Bethe-Salpeter equation, even for many-particle observables. The reason for this is that the divergence at the second-order phase transition is produced by the self-consistent feedback of the dynamical mean-field.