The S-J exchange interaction under the influence of the crystalline field

A magnetic impurity, having the s-j interaction with conduction electrons, under the crystalline field of host metals is investigated. The Hamann integral equation for the t-matrix can be derived and solved by the method of Zittartz and Müller-Hartmann for the cases of (1) small splittings, yielding the Kondo anomaly and decrease of the Kondo temperatureT _K compared with no splittings, (2) a large splitting from the crystalline ground doublet state, producing the higherT _K by the exicited level, and (3) a large splitting from the ground singlet state giving no Kondo effect. The macroscopic properties are calculated for (1) and (2).     

Exotic Kondo effects in metals: Magnetic ions in a crystalline electric field and tunnelling centres

The ordinary single-channel Kondo model consists of one or more spin-½ local moments interacting antiferromagnetically with conduction electrons in a metal. This model has provided a paradigm for understanding many phenomena of strongly correlated electronic materials, ranging from the formation of heavyfermion Fermi liquids to the mapping of a one-band model in the cuprate superconductors. The simplest extension of this ordinary Kondo model in metals which yields exotic non-Fermi-liquid physics is the multichannel Kondo impurity model in which the conduction electrons are given an extra quantum label known as the channel or flavour index. In the overcompensated regime of this model, nonFermi-liquid physics is possible, in contrast with the single-channel model. We overview here the multichannel Kondo impurity model candidates most extensively studied for explaining real materials, specifically the two-level system Kondo model relevant for metallic glasses, nanoscale devices and some doped semiconductors, and the quadrupolar and magnetic two-channel Kondo models developed for rare-earth and actinide ions with crystal-field splittings in metals. We provide an extensive justification for the derivation of the theoretical models, noting that, whenever the local impurity degree of freedom is non-magnetic, a two-channel Kondo model must follow by virtue of the magnetic spin degeneracy of the conduction electrons. We carefully delineate all energy and symmetry restrictions on the applicability of these models. We describe the various methods used to study these models along with their results and limitations (multiplicative renormalization group, numerical renormalization group, non-crossing approximation, conformal field theory and Abelian bosonization), all of which provide differing and useful views of the physics. We pay particular attention to the role that scale invariance plays in all these theoretical approaches. We point out in each case how various perturbing fields (magnetic, crystalline electric, electric field gradients and uniaxial stress) may destabilize the non-Fermi-liquid fixed point. We then provide an extensive discussion of the experimental evidence for the relevance of the two-level system Kondo model to metallic glasses and nanoscale devices, and of the quadrupolar and magnetic two-channel models to a number of heavyfermion-based alloys and compounds. We close with a discussion of the extension of the single-impurity models which comprise the main focus of this review to other systems (Coulomb blockade), multiple impurities and lattice models. In the latter case, we provide an overview of the relevance of the two-channel Kondo lattice model to non-Fermi-liquid behaviour and exotic superconductivity in heavy-fermion compounds and to the theoretical possibility of odd-frequency superconductivity, which is realized (for the first time) in the limit of infinite spatial dimensions for this model.     

Magnetic susceptibility of (La,Ce) Al2 alloys

The low-field magnetic susceptibility of (La, Ce)Al₂ alloys with 1–20 at-% Ce was measured between 0.04 and 4 K. Up to 1.5 at-% Ce the impurity contribution to the susceptibility exhibits features which can be described in terms of a combined influence of the crystalline electric field and the Kondo effect. At very low temperatures the onset of interactions between the Ce impurities is indicated. The impurity coupling interactions determine the dependence on temperature and concentration of the more concentrated alloys. For the dilute alloys the impurity magnetization was determined from measurements of the susceptibility in magnetic fields up to 10 kOe. The magnetization as a function of temperature and field shows a typical anomaly which has been observed also in other Kondo systems.     

Kondo scattering from Sm ions in La1−xSmxSn3

We report here clear evidence for Kondo scattering from a rare earth ion which is free from the usual complications of crystalline electric field splittings and valence fluctuations.     

Oscillations of the magnetic polarization in a Kondo system at finite magnetic fields

The electronic properties of a Kondo impurity are investigated in a magnetic field using linear response theory. The distribution of electrical charge and magnetic polarization are calculated in real space. The (small) magnetic field does not change the charge distribution. However, it unmasks the Kondo cloud and generates a Kondo polarization. The weight of the d-electron components with their magnetic moment up and down is shifted and the compensating moments of the s-electron clouds don’t cancel any longer (a requirement for an experimental detection of the Kondo cloud). In addition to the polarization cloud (of the conduction electrons) an oscillating polarization component with a period of half the Fermi wave length is observed. This represents an internal electronic structure of the Kondo impurity.     

Kondo-transport spectroscopy of single molecule magnets

We demonstrate that in a single molecule magnet strongly coupled to electrodes the Kondo effect involves all magnetic excitations. This Kondo effect is induced by the quantum tunneling of the magnetic moment. Importantly, the Kondo temperature TK can be much larger than the magnetic splittings. We find a strong modulation of the Kondo effect as a function of the transverse anisotropy parameter or a longitudinal magnetic field. Both for integer and half-integer spin this can be used for an accurate transport spectroscopy of the magnetic states in low magnetic fields on the order of the easy-axis anisotropy parameter. We set up a relationship between the Kondo effects for successive integer and half-integer spins.     

Anomalous magnetic splitting of the kondo resonance

The splitting of the Kondo resonance in the density of states of an Anderson impurity in a finite magnetic field is calculated from the exact Bethe-ansatz solution. The result gives an estimate of the electron spectral function for a nonzero magnetic field and the Kondo temperature, with consequences for transport experiments on quantum dots in the Kondo regime. The strong correlations of the Kondo ground state cause a significant low-temperature reduction of the peak splitting. Explicit formulas are found for the shift and broadening of the Kondo peaks. A likely cause of the problems of large- N approaches to spin- 1 / 2 impurities at finite magnetic field is suggested.     

Orbital anisotropy of Kondo ions

The striking differences which are often observed in the behaviour of unstable ions with the same valence can be traced to different orbital splittings. This suggestion is discussed in terms of a degenerate Anderson model which is treated in the single ion non-crossing approximation (NCA). Using analytical methods to solve the NCA equations of the anisotropic model the parametrization of the theory is made transparent and the numerical solution of the NCA atT=0 is simplified considerably. The influence of a low ground state degeneracy of the magnetic impurity on the drop of the Kondo temperature is emphasized. Numerical results for the NCA equations are given for a cerium impurity with either a doublet or a quartet ground state. Comparison with the mean field solution of the anisotropic model is made.This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft through SFB 125 (Aachen-Jülich-Köln)     

One- and two-channel Kondo model with logarithmic Van Hove singularity: A numerical renormalization group solution

Simple scaling consideration and NRG solution of the one- and two-channel Kondo model in the presence of a logarithmic Van Hove singularity at the Fermi level is given. The temperature dependences of local and impurity magnetic susceptibility and impurity entropy are calculated. The low-temperature behavior of the impurity susceptibility and impurity entropy turns out to be non-universal in the Kondo sense and independent of the s–d coupling J. The resonant level model solution in the strong coupling regime confirms the NRG results. In the two-channel case the local susceptibility demonstrates a non-Fermi-liquid power-law behavior.     

Electronic structure and magnetism of RPdIn compounds (R=La, Ce, Pr, Nd)

RPdIn (R = La-Nd) compounds were studied by means of magnetic susceptibility, specific heat and photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. The results prove that CePdIn is an antiferromagnetic Kondo lattice with T_N below 1.7 K. The Pr-based indide remains paramagnetic down to 1.7 K, and the lack of any magnetic ordering may be due to the presence of a singlet as the crystalline electric field ground state or/and strong hybridization between Pr 4f states and Pd 4d states. In turn, NdPdIn exhibits ferromagnetism below about 26 K. In contrast to CePdIn, for the Pr- and Nd-based compounds any significant enhancement of the electronic specific heat coefficient was observed.     

Kondo screening in gapless magnetic alloys

The low-energy physics of a spin- Kondo impurity in a gapless host, in which the density of band states ρ₀(ε)=|ε|^r/(|ε|^r+β^r) vanishes at the Fermi level ε=0, is studied by the Bethe ansatz. It is shown that the growth of the parameter Γ_r=βg^−1/r (where g is an exchange coupling constant) drives the ground state of the system from the Kondo regime with a screened impurity spin to the Anderson regime, where the impurity spin is unscreened. However, in a weak magnetic field H, the impurity spin exceeds its free value, , due to a strong coupling to a band.     

Kondo screening cloud in a superconductor with mixed s-wave and p-wave pairing states

We study the Kondo screening of a spin-1/2 magnetic impurity coupled to a superconductor, which is fabricated by combination of an s-wave superconductor, a ferromagnet and a semiconductor with Rashba spin—orbit coupling (RSOC). The proximity induced superconducting states include the s-wave and p-wave pairing components with the aids of RSOC, and the ferromagnet induces a Zeeman field which removes the spin degeneracy of the quasiparticles in the triplet states. Thus, the Kondo screening of magnetic impurity involves the orbital degrees of freedom, and is also affected by the Zeeman field. Using the variational method, we calculate the binding energy and the spin—spin correlation between the magnetic impurity and the electrons in the coexisting s-wave and p-wave pairing states. We find that Kondo singlet forms more easily with stronger RSOC, but Zeeman field in general decreases the binding energy. The spin—spin correlation decays fast in the vicinity of the magnetic impurity. Due to the RSOC, the spatial spin—spin correlation becomes highly anisotropic, and the Zeeman field can induce extra asymmetry to the off-diagonal components of the spin—spin correlation. Our study can offer some insights into the studies of extrinsic topological superconductors fabricated from the hybrid structures containing chains of magnetic impurities.     

The effect of a crystalline electric field on the magnetic transition temperatures of rare-earth rhodium borides

A simple molecular field model is presented for the prediction of magnetic transition temperatures of rare-earth (RE) compounds when crystalline electric field (CEF) splittings are significant. The model is applied to the RERh₄B₄ (RE=Gd?Tm) series, using what is known about the crystal field in these materials.     

Influence of interstitials and non magnetic impurities on the Kondo effect

The influence of interstitials and non magnetic impurities on the anomalous resistivity, thermopower and Kondo temperature of dilute magnetic alloys was investigated generalizing a model proposed by Bohnen and Fischer. Numerical results are given as a function of the distance between the interstitial (or non magnetic impurity) and the magnetic impurity using their scattering phase shifts as parameters. The Kondo anomalies are altered considerably, if the magnetic impurity is very close to the non magnetic scattering potential, e.g. if it is part of an interstitial dumbbell.This work is part of a doctoral thesis of G.Wehr at the Technische Universität München     

Spatial variations of the order parameter around a Kondo impurity for T ⩽ Tc

Analytic expressions for the spatial variations of the order parameter around a Kondo impurity are obtained. The oscillatory contribution due to impurity scattering is calculated using the t-matrix of Matsuura which conveniently yields the general results below T_c. Differences between our values and those of Schlottmann are reported.     

On Suhl's approach to the Kondo problem

A model for the Kondo problem is studied in which the impurities are envisaged as a gas of infinitely heavy particles embedded in the gas of conduction electrons. Fors-wave interactions and low impurity concentrations the electron self-energy is expressed by the impurity-electron scattering matrix which is also shown to determine the thermodynamic potantial. Using standard Goldstone diagrams Suhl's equation is derived by the summation of leading singular graphs. For a special density of states, vanishing magnetic field, and no potential scattering the dispersion equation is solved exactly.     

Spin correlation in dilute magnetic alloys

The correlation of a magnetic impurity spin with the spin density of the conduction electrons in a dilute magnetic alloy is calculated non-perturbationally on the basis of the Nagaoka theory. It is shown that there are anomalies due to the Kondo effect in the long range behaviour of this correlation which contradicts the bound state interpretation of the Kondo effect. The most interesting detail is the appearance of a non-oscillating contribution to the correlation.     

Kondo resonance for orbitally degenerate systems

Formation of the Kondo state in the general two-band Anderson model has been investigated within the numerical renormalization group calculations. The Abrikosov-Suhl resonance is essentially asymmetric for the model with one electron per impurity (quarter filling case) in contrast with the one-band case. An external magnetic (pseudomagnetic) field breaking spin (orbital) degeneracy leads to asymmetric splitting and essential broadening of the many-body resonance. Unlike the standard Anderson model, the "spin-up" Kondo peak is pinned against the Fermi level, but not suppressed by the magnetic field.     

Natural orbitals renormalization group approach to a Kondo singlet

A magnetic impurity embedded in a Fermi sea is collectively screened by a cloud of conduction electrons to form a Kondo singlet below a characteristic energy scale TK, the Kondo temperature, through the mechanism of the Kondo effect. We have reinvestigated the Kondo singlet by means of the newly developed natural orbitals renormalization group(NORG) method. We find that, in the framework of natural orbitals formalism, the Kondo screening mechanism becomes transparent and simple, while the intrinsic structure of a Kondo singlet is clearly resolved. For a single impurity Kondo system in whichever case of either finite size or thermodynamic limit, there exists a single active natural orbital that screens the magnetic impurity dominantly. In the perspective of entanglement, the magnetic impurity is entangled dominantly with the active natural orbital, i.e., the subsystem formed by the active natural orbital and the magnetic impurity basically disentangles from the remaining system. We have also studied the structures of the active natural orbital respectively projected into real space and momentum space. Moreover, the dynamical properties, represented by one-particle Green's functions defined at the active natural orbital, are obtained by the correction vector method. Meanwhile, the well-known Kondo resonance is clearly observed in the spectral function at the active natural orbital. To realize the thermodynamic limit, the Wilson chains with the numerical renormalization group approach are employed.     

Kondo effect in a magnetic field and the magnetoresistivity of kondo alloys

The effect of a magnetic field on the spectral density of a S = 1/2 Kondo impurity is investigated at zero and finite temperatures by using Wilson's numerical renormalization group method. A splitting of the total spectral density is found for fields larger than a critical value H(c)(T = 0) approximately 0.5T(K), where T(K) is the Kondo scale. The splitting correlates with a peak in the magnetoresistivity of dilute magnetic alloys which we calculate and compare with the experiments on CexLa1-xAl2,x = 0.0063. The linear magnetoconductance of quantum dots exhibiting the Kondo effect is also calculated.