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Frenkel line and the pseudogap: An analogy between classical and electronic fluids

J. Fournier1,*, P.-O. Downey1, O. Gingras2,3, C.-D. Hébert1, M. Charlebois1,4, and A.-M. S. Tremblay1,†

  • *Contact author: Jerome.Fournier3@USherbrooke.ca
  • †Contact author: Andre-Marie.Tremblay@USherbrooke.ca
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Phys. Rev. Research 8, 023278 – Published 10 June, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/j8fc-jrmt

Abstract

Asymptotically close to critical end points of first-order transitions, maxima in thermodynamic quantities occur along a line called the Widom line, a concept first introduced in classical fluids. This concept has been extended to strongly correlated electronic fluids in the context of the Mott transition. Namely, upon increasing interaction strength in the Hubbard model at half filling, one finds a first-order Mott metal-insulator transition with a critical end point at high temperature, above which several crossover lines are observable. Using the dynamical cluster approximation for the triangular-lattice Hubbard model, we compute the Frenkel line, a concept borrowed from classical fluids, which is used to define a sharp crossover between the pseudogap and the correlated Fermi liquid. The Frenkel line in the electron fluid is defined by the appearance of backscattering upon entering the pseudogap. The signature of backscattering is the existence of a negative value in the time-domain optical conductivity. The Frenkel line extends to high temperatures.

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Phys. Rev. Research 8, 023278– Published 10 June, 2026
  • Received 23 September 2025
  • Accepted 12 May 2026
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