Instability of metals with respect to strong electron-phonon interaction
arXiv:2409.19562 · doi:10.1103/sf5p-2g5l
Abstract
We show that thermal equilibrium between conduction electrons and phonons becomes kinetically unstable when the renormalized electron-phonon coupling exceeds a certain threshold. We prove that negative electronic specific heat, , is sufficient to trigger the instability. Specifically, the instability sets in as soon as the quasiparticle weight becomes negative over a range of energies, even before turns negative. This is an inherently nonequilibrium phenomenon, occurring prior to the formation of any equilibrium phase. Depending on the system, it can proceed along different pathways, ultimately resulting in a structural transition to an insulating or metallic state.
main text updated, new supplemental material added, 15 pages
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