Classical (Thermal) phase transition

First order phase transition

Second order phase transition

Quantum phase transition

Quantum phase transition occur where $T=0$.

$$ \hat{H} = \hat{A} + g\hat{B} \\ [\hat{A},\hat{B}]\neq 0 $$

where $g \ll g_c$

$$ \hat{H} \sim \hat{A} $$

$$ \left|\psi_g\right> = \left|\psi(\hat{A})\right> $$

where $g \gg g_c$

$$ \hat{H} \propto \hat{B} $$

$$ \left|\psi_g\right> = \left|\psi(\hat{B})\right> $$

Quantum fluctuation is significant where $g\sim g_c$

The dimensionless distance from a critical point

$$ \epsilon = \frac{g-g_c}{g_c}=\frac{g}{g_c}-1 $$

gap size

$$ \Delta_{\rm gap} = 2 |g-g_c| = 2g_c|\epsilon| $$

Relaxation time