Continuous phase transitions that occur at zero temperature as a result of quantum fluctuations required by Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle are called quantum phase transitions. In the present paper an elementary introduction to quantum phase transitions is given. A few experimental examples from the physics of heavy-fermion systems and itinerant ferromagnets are described.

PACS: 64.60.−i, 71.10.−w, 71.10.Hf (all) DOI: 10.1070/PU2004v047n08ABEH001850 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2004/8/b/ 000225645400002 2004PhyU...47..789S Citation: Stishov S M "Quantum phase transitions" Phys. Usp. 47 789–795 (2004) BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks Оригинал: Стишов С М «Квантовые фазовые переходы» УФН 174 853–860 (2004); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0174.200408b.0853