Ordering of localized moments in Kondo lattice models

We describe the transition from a ferromagnetic phase, to a disordered paramagnetic phase, which occurs in one-dimensional Kondo lattice models with partial conduction band filling. The transition is the quantum order-disorder transition of the transverse-field Ising chain, and reflects double-exchange ordered regions of localized spins being gradually destroyed as the coupling to the conduction electrons is reduced. For incommensurate conduction-band filling, the low-energy properties of the localized spins near the transition are dominated by anomalous ordered (disordered) regions of localized spins which survive into the paramagnetic (ferromagnetic) phase. Many interesting properties follow, including a diverging susceptibility for a finite range of couplings into the paramagnetic phase. Our critical line equation, together with numerically determined transition points, are used to determine the effective range of the double-exchange interaction. Models considered are the spin-1/2 Kondo lattices with ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic couplings, and the Kondo lattice with repulsive interactions between the conduction electrons.