New insights into quantum phenomena at phase transitions

Quantum matter: entanglement of many atoms detected for the first time

“Despite more than 30 years of extensive research dedicated to phase transitions in quantum materials, we previously assumed that the phenomenon of entanglement plays an important role at tiny distance and time scales only,” explains Matthias Vojta, Chair of Theoretical Solid State Physics at TUD. In their investigation of lithium holmium fluoride (LiHoF₄), the team was able to demonstrate under which conditions quantum entanglement can be studied on much larger scales. “We discovered a new type of quantum transition in which magnetic domains play a decisive role.”

LiHoF₄ is a ferromagnet at very low temperatures. However, if a strong magnetic field is applied exactly perpendicular to the preferred magnetic direction, the ferromagnetism vanishes entirely above a quantum phase transition. This phenomenon has been known for a long time. In their studies, the researchers now changed the direction of the magnetic field. Andreas Wendl, who conducted the experiments as part of his doctoral thesis work, explains: “We used spherical samples for our precision measurements. This allowed us to investigate the behavior in response to a small tilt of the magnetic field.”

In doing so, the researchers made a surprising observation. “We discovered that the quantum phase transition continues to exist, whereas it was previously believed that even the smallest tilt of the magnetic field would immediately suppress the transition,” says Christian Pfleiderer, professor of Experimental Physics for the Topology of Correlated Systems at TUM. Instead of the expected gradual variation in the material’s properties, the team observed an abrupt change – the defining feature of a phase transition.

The cause of these transitions according to the researchers is what is known as textures. These refer to the rough patterns in which the particles organize themselves in their microscopically ordered states. In ice these are mutually tilted crystallites and in magnets these are magnetic domains, also known as Weiss domains. Until now it was unclear whether textures can exhibit quantum phase transitions by themselves. The researchers have now discovered that this is possible and thus demonstrated that quantum entanglement also takes place at the level of textures – in other words for large numbers of atoms. 

On the basis of their data, the researchers have developed a new theoretical model. “For our analysis, we had to generalize existing microscopic models to take into account the tilt of the magnetic field,” says Heike Eisenlohr, who performed the calculations as part of her PhD thesis. “As an entirely new aspect, we then also calculated the feedback of the ferromagnetic domains on the microscopic properties.”

The discovery of the new quantum phase transitions and the underlying theoretical model promise to be important as a foundation and general frame of reference for research on quantum phenomena in materials, as well as for new applications: “Quantum entanglement could be controlled and applied in such technologies as quantum sensors and quantum computers,” says Vojta. Pfleiderer adds: “Our work relates to fundamental research. However, it could soon have a direct impact on real-world applications with targeted use of the newly discovered material properties.”