Michael Potthoff

Variational cluster approach to correlated electron systems in low dimensions.

A self-energy-functional approach is applied to construct cluster approximations for correlated lattice models. It turns out that the cluster-perturbation theory [Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 522 (2000)]] and the cellular dynamical mean-field theory [Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 186401 (2001)]] are limiting cases of a more general cluster method. The results for the one-dimensional Hubbard model are discussed with regard to boundary conditions, bath degrees of freedom, and cluster size.

Self-energy-functional approach to systems of correlated electrons

Abstract:The grand potential of a system of interacting electrons is considered as a stationary point of a self-energy functional. It is shown that a rigorous evaluation of the functional is possible for self-energies that are representable within a certain reference system. The variational scheme allows to construct new non-perturbative and thermodynamically consistent approximations. Numerical results illustrate the practicability of the method.

SURFACE METAL-INSULATOR TRANSITION IN THE HUBBARD MODEL

The correlation-driven metal-insulator ~Mott! transition at a solid surface is studied within the Hubbard model for a semi-infinite lattice by means of the dynamical mean-field theory. The transition takes place at a unique critical strength of the interaction. Depending on the surface geometry, the interaction strength, and the wave vector, we find one-electron excitations in the coherent part of the surface-projected metallic spectrum, which are confined to two dimensions.@S0163-1829~99!04904-8#

Variational cluster approach to spontaneous symmetry breaking: The itinerant antiferromagnet in two dimensions

Based on the self-energy-functional approach proposed recently [M. Potthoff, Eur. Phys. J. B 32, 429 (2003)], we present an extension of the cluster-perturbation theory to systems with spontaneously broken symmetry. Our method applies to models with local interactions and accounts for both short-range correlations and long-range order. Short-range correlations are accurately taken into account via exact diagonalization of finite clusters. Long-range order is described by variational optimization of a ficticious symmetry-breaking field. In comparison with related cluster methods, our approach is more flexible and, for a given cluster size, less demanding numerically, especially at zero temperature. An application of the method to the antiferromagnetic phase of the Hubbard model at half-filling shows good agreement with results from quantum Monte-Carlo calculations. We demonstrate that the variational extension of the cluster-perturbation theory is crucial to reproduce salient features of the single-particle spectrum.

“Linearized” dynamical mean-field theory for the Mott-Hubbard transition

Abstract:The Mott-Hubbard metal-insulator transition is studied within a simplified version of the Dynamical Mean-Field Theory (DMFT) in which the coupling between the impurity level and the conduction band is approximated by a single pole at the Fermi energy. In this approach, the DMFT equations are linearized, and the value for the critical Coulomb repulsion can be calculated analytically. For the symmetric single-band Hubbard model at zero temperature, the critical value is found to be given by 6 times the square root of the second moment of the free (U=0) density of states. This result is in good agreement with the numerical value obtained from the Projective Selfconsistent Method and recent Numerical Renormalization Group calculations for the Bethe and the hypercubic lattice in infinite dimensions. The generalization to more complicated lattices is discussed. The “linearized DMFT” yields plausible results for the complete geometry dependence of the critical interaction.

Antiferromagnetic to superconducting phase transition in the hole- and electron-doped Hubbard model at zero temperature

The competition between d-wave superconductivity (SC) and antiferromagnetism (AF) in the high-Tc cuprates is investigated by studying the hole- and electron-doped two-dimensional Hubbard model with a recently proposed variational quantum-cluster theory. The approach is shown to provide a thermodynamically consistent determination of the particle number, provided that an overall shift of the on-site energies is treated as a variational parameter. The consequences for the single-particle excitation spectra and for the phase diagram are explored. By comparing the single-particle spectra with quantum Monte-Carlo (QMC) and experimental data, we verify that the low-energy excitations in a strongly-correlated electronic system are described appropriately. The cluster calculations also reproduce the overall ground-state phase diagram of the high-temperature superconductors. In particular, they include salient features such as the enhanced robustness of the antiferromagnetic state as a function of electron doping and the tendency towards phase separation into a mixed antiferromagnetic-superconducting phase at low-doping and a pure superconducting phase at high (both hole and electron) doping.

INTERPOLATING SELF-ENERGY OF THE INFINITE-DIMENSIONAL HUBBARD MODEL : MODIFYING THE ITERATIVE PERTURBATION THEORY

We develop an analytical expression for the self-energy of the infinite-dimensional Hubbard model that is correct in a number of different limits. The approach represents a generalization of the iterative perturbation theory to arbitrary fillings. In the weak-coupling regime perturbation theory to second order in the interaction U is recovered. The theory is exact in the atomic limit. The high-energy behavior of the self-energy up to order (1/E)**2 and thereby the first four moments of the spectral density are reproduced correctly. Referring to a standard strong-coupling moment method, we analyze the limit of strong U. Different modifications of the approach are discussed and tested by comparing with the results of an exact diagonalization study.

The Moment Sum Rule and Its Consequences for Ferromagnetism in the Hubbard Model

The sum rule for the moments of the spectral density is discussed for the single-band Hubbard model. It is shown that respecting the sum rule up to the order ma 3 is conceptually important for a qualitatively correct description of the quasi-particle band structure in the strong-correlation regime. Different analytical approximations for the self-energy are analyzed with respect to their compatibility with the moment sum rule. To estimate the practical usefulness of the sum rule, correlation functions and dynamical quantities are determined. The results obtained within the various approximation schemes of different complexity are compared with each other and also with essentially exact results available for infinite-dimensional lattices. It turns out that the ma 3 moment is rather unimportant for the paramagnetic phase on the hyper-cubic lattice. Contrary, it decisively influences the magnetic phase boundary as well as the critical temperature for the ferromagnetic phase on an f.c.c.-type lattice.

First-order Mott transition at zero temperature in two dimensions: Variational plaquette study

The nature of the metal-insulator Mott transition at zero temperature has been discussed for a number of years. Whether it occurs through a quantum critical point or through a first-order transition is expected to profoundly influence the nature of the finite-temperature phase diagram. In this paper, we study the zero temperature Mott transition in the two-dimensional Hubbard model on the square lattice with the variational cluster approximation. This takes into account the influence of antiferromagnetic short-range correlations. By contrast to single-site dynamical mean-field theory, the transition turns out to be first order even at zero temperature.

Phase separation and competition of superconductivity and magnetism in the two-dimensional Hubbard model : From strong to weak coupling

Cooperation and competition between the antiferromagnetic,