Charge-Density Wave Order on a $π$-flux Square Lattice

Abstract: The effect of electron-phonon coupling (EPC) on Dirac fermions has recently been explored numerically on a honeycomb lattice, leading to precise quantitative values for the finite temperature and quantum critical points. In this paper, we use the unbiased determinant Quantum Monte Carlo (DQMC) method to study the Holstein model on a half-filled staggered-flux square lattice, and compare with the honeycomb lattice geometry, presenting results for a range of phonon frequencies $0.1 \leqslant \omega \leqslant 2.0$. We find that the interactions give rise to charge-density wave (CDW) order, but only above a finite coupling strength $\lambda_{\rm crit}$. The transition temperature is evaluated and presented in a $T_c$-$\lambda$ phase diagram. An accompanying mean-field theory (MFT) calculation also predicts the existence of quantum phase transition (QPT), but at a substantially smaller coupling strength.