July 1, 2021
Scientific Achievement
Long wavelength spin fluctuations in a quantum spin chain correspond to superdiffusive classical hydrodynamics belonging to the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) universality class.
Significance and Impact
The presence of KPZ transport in the quantum limit provides a new way to understand the origins of strange fluid states in quantum materials.
![](http://swc.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/SpinChain.png)
Research Details
- Spin fluctuations near Q=0 in the model material KCuF3 were measured using inelastic neutron scattering.
- The intensity follows a power law close to Q-1.5, consistent with KPZ dynamics.
- The data was compared to numerical simulations, and excellent agreement was found over all temperatures.
Related Publication: Scheie, A. et. al. (2021). Detection of Kardar-Parisi-Zhang Hydrodynamics in a Quantum Heisenberg Spin-1/2 Chain. Nature Physics, 17, 726-730. doi.org/10.1038/s41567-021-01191-6