Generic Long-Range Order-Parameter Correlations in Metallic Quantum Magnets

Abstract

It is shown that in all types of metallic magnets the coupling of the order parameter to the conduction electrons leads to an order-parameter susceptibility that is long-ranged at zero temperature. This is true for all known classes of ferromagnets, and also for antiferromagnets and spin-density wave systems, helimagnets, magnetic nematics, and altermagnets. The consequences for the magnetic quantum phase transition vary between different classes of magnets. In almost all 3-d systems with a homogeneous magnetization, as well as in magnetic nematics and in altermagnets, the long-ranged correlations generically modify the nature of the magnetic quantum phase transition from second order to first order. The only exception are non-centrosymmetric ferromagnets with a strong spin-orbit interaction, where the correlations change the order of the transition in 2-d systems, but not in 3-d ones. In helimagnets, spin-wave systems, and Neel antiferromagnets their effect is even weaker and does not change the order of the transition if the ordering wave number is sufficiently large, except in flat-band systems. In systems with quenched disorder the transition generically is of second order, but the correlations modify the critical behavior. These conclusions are reached by very simple considerations that are based entirely on the single-particle excitations in the nonmagnetic phase and their modifications by a field conjugate to the order parameter, augmented by renormalization-group considerations.