Phase Diagram of the Two-Leg Kondo Ladder

Abstract

The phase diagram of the two-leg Kondo ladder is investigated using computational techniques. Ferromagnetism is present, but only at small conduction electron densities and robust Kondo coupling $J$. For densities $n\gtrsim0.4$ and any Kondo coupling, a paramagnetic phase is found. We also observed spin dimerization at densities $n$=1/4 and $n$=1/2. The spin structure factor at small $J$ peaks at $\vec{q}$=$(2n,0)π$ for $n\lesssim0.5$, and at $\vec{q}$=$(n,1)π$ for $n\gtrsim0.5$. The charge structure factor suggests that electrons behave as free particles with spin-1/2 (spin-0) for small (large) $J$.

5 pages, 4 figs