A quantum critical point is a continuous zero-temperature phase transition driven by a nonthermal control parameter. Quantum and thermal fluctuations near it are organized by a dynamical critical exponent.
The quantum-critical regime is the finite-temperature region in which temperature exceeds the energy scale generated by detuning from a quantum critical point. Temperature then controls leading masses, relaxation rates, and correlation lengths.
Quantum critical scaling expresses observables as powers of temperature or detuning times universal functions of dimensionless ratios such as , , and .
The dynamical critical exponent relates critical frequency and wavenumber scales by . Relativistic critical theories have .
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A quantum critical point (QCP) is a theoretical concept in condensed matter physics that denotes a point at zero temperature where a continuous phase transition occurs due to quantum fluctuations. Unlike classical phase transitions that can be influenced by temperature and external parameters (like pressure or magnetic field), quantum critical points are affected primarily by quantum mechanical effects, specifically as they relate to changes in certain control parameters like magnetic field, doping level, or pressure.