Peierls Instabilities in Quasi-One-Dimensional Quantum Double-Well Chains

Abstract

Peierls-type instabilities in quarter-filled ($\bar{n}=1/2$) and half-filled ($\bar{n}=1$) quantum double-well hydrogen-bonded chain are investigated analytically in the framework of two-stage orientational-tunnelling model with additional inclusion of the interactions of protons with two different optical phonon branches. It is shown that when the energy of proton-phonon coupling becomes large, the system undergoes a transition to a various types of insulator states. The influence of two different transport amplitudes on ground states properties is studied. The results are compared with the pressure effect experimental investigations in superprotonic systems and hydrogen halides at low temperatures.

7 pages, RevTeX, 9 eps figures