Spin and charge dynamics of the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic two-dimensional half-filled Kondo lattice model

Abstract

We present a detailed numerical study of spin and charge dynamics of the two-dimensional Kondo lattice model with hopping t and exchange J. At T=0 and J > 0, the competition between the RKKY interaction and Kondo effect triggers a quantum phase transition between magnetically ordered and disordered insulators: J_c/t = 1.45(5). The quasiparticle gap scales as |J|. S(q,ω), evolves smoothly from its strong coupling form with spin gap at q = (π,π) to a spin wave form. At J>0, A(\vec{k},ω) shows a dispersion relation following that of hybridized bands. For J < J_c this feature is supplemented by shadows thus pointing to a coexistence of Kondo screening and magnetism. For J < 0 A(\vec{k},ω) is similar to that of non-interacting electrons in a staggered magnetic field. Spin, T_S, and charge, T_C, scales are defined. For weak to intermediate couplings, T_S marks the onset of antiferromagnetic fluctuations and follows a J^2 law. At strong couplings T_S scales as J. T_C scales as J both at weak and strong couplings. At and slightly below T_C we observe i) a rise in the resistivity as a function of decreasing temperature, ii) a dip in the integrated density of states at the Fermi energy and iii) the occurrence of hybridized bands in A(k,ω). It is shown that in the weak coupling limit, the charge gap of order J is of magnetic origin. The specific heat shows a two peak structure, the low temperature peak being of magnetic origin. Our results are compared to various mean-field theories.