Renormalization group study of magnetic catalysis in the 3d Gross-Neveu model

Daniel D. Scherer and Holger Gies
Phys. Rev. B 85, 195417 – Published 9 May 2012

Abstract

Magnetic catalysis describes the enhancement of symmetry-breaking quantum fluctuations in chirally symmetric quantum field theories by the coupling of fermionic degrees of freedom to a magnetic background configuration. We use the functional renormalization group to investigate this phenomenon for interacting Dirac fermions propagating in (2 + 1)-dimensional space-time, described by the Gross-Neveu model. We identify pointlike operators up to quartic fermionic terms that can be generated in the renormalization group flow by the presence of an external magnetic field. We employ the beta function for the fermionic coupling to quantitatively analyze the field dependence of the induced spectral gap. Within our pointlike truncation, the renormalization group flow provides a simple picture for magnetic catalysis.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 28 February 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.85.195417

©2012 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Daniel D. Scherer and Holger Gies

  • Theoretisch-Physikalisches Institut, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, D-07743 Jena, Germany

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 85, Iss. 19 — 15 May 2012

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review B

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×