The Quantum-Classical Metal
David G. Clarke,
S. P. Strong,
P. M. Chaikin,
E. I. Chashechkina
In a normal Fermi liquid, Landau's theory precludes the loss of
single-fermion quantum coherence in the low-energy, low-temperature limit. For highly anisotropic, strongly correlated metals, there is no
proof that this remains the case, and quantum coherence for transport
in some directions may be lost intrinsically. This loss of coherence
should stabilize an unusual, qualitatively anisotropic non-Fermi
liquid, separated by a zero-temperature quantum phase transition from
the Fermi liquid state and categorized by the unobservability of
certain interference effects. There is compelling experimental evidence
for this transition as a function of magnetic field in the metallic
phase of the organic conductor
(TMTSF)2PF6 (where TMTSF is
tetramethyltetraselenafulvalene).
D. G. Clarke, P. M. Chaikin, and E. I. Chashechkina
are with the Joseph Henry Laboratories of Physics, Princeton
University, Post Office Box 708, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA. S. P. Strong is with the Institute for Advanced Study, Olden Lane,
Princeton, NJ 08540, USA.
