Nature of the A phase in CeCu2Si2

Neutron diffraction experiments have been performed on a magnetically ordered CeCu2Si2 single crystal exhibiting A-phase anomalies in specific heat and thermal expansion. Below T(N) approximately 0.8 K antiferromagnetic superstructure peaks have been detected. The propagation vector of the magnetic order appears to be determined by the topology of the Fermi surface of heavy quasiparticles as indicated by renormalized band-structure calculations. The observation of long-range incommensurate antiferromagnetic order as the nature of the A phase in CeCu2Si2 suggests that a spin-density-wave instability is the origin of the quantum critical point in CeCu2Si2.     

Effective mass enhancement and spin-glass behaviour in CeCu4Mn(y)Al(1-y) compounds

We report on the magnetic ac/dc susceptibility and specific heat measurements for the CeCu(4)Mn(y)Al(1-y) series of compounds with 0 ≤ y ≤ 1. All compounds investigated crystallize in the hexagonal CaCu(5)-type structure with the space group P6/mmm. The results reveal that the frustration of the interactions dominates and leads to a spin-glass (SG) behaviour with a linear change of the freezing temperature T(f) as a function of y. The SG state has been confirmed by the frequency dependence of the ac magnetic susceptibility, the relaxation of the remanent magnetization and the split of the field-cooled-zero-field-cooled dc magnetic susceptibility. The electronic specific heat coefficient γ is enhanced for all y and increases with the Al content. Below a threshold at y ≈ 0.3, γ is large even if determined for temperatures above T(f); moreover the paramagnetic Curie-Weiss temperature θ(p) changes sign to negative. These observations indicate the possible presence of the heavy fermion (HF) state, at least below y ≈ 0.3, and the possible coexistence of the SG and HF states down to y = 0, i.e. for the CeCu(4)Al compound. A tentative magnetic phase diagram for CeCu(4)Mn(y)Al(1-y) has been constructed.     

Magnetic fluctuations at a field-induced quantum phase transition

We report an inelastic neutron-scattering study at the field-induced magnetic quantum phase transition of CeCu5.8Au0.2. The data can be described better by the spin-density-wave scenario than by a local quantum critical point, while the latter scenario was shown to be applicable to the zero-field concentration-tuned quantum phase transition in CeCu6-xAux for x=0.1. This constitutes direct microscopic evidence for a difference in the quantum fluctuation spectra at a magnetic quantum critical point driven by different tuning parameters.     

Zn含量对重电子金属CeCu6-xZnx低温性质的影响

报道了掺Zn的重电子金属CeCu6-xZnx(x=0.05,0.1,0.15,0.2,0.3)样品的非常规制备方法以及低温电阻和低温比热容的测量结果,研究Zn含量对CeCu6-xZnx低温性质的影响及其物理原因.发现低温下Kondo散射项系数c随Zn含量的加大而减小,电阻极大值温度Tmax随Zn含量的加大而降低,CeCu6-xZnx的德拜温度ΘD随Zn含量的加大而略有上升 关键词： 重费密子系统 低温比热容 低温电阻 相干散射     

Temperature dependence of the Kondo resonance and its satellites in CeCu2Si2

We present high-resolution photoemission spectroscopy studies on the Kondo resonance of the strongly correlated Ce system CeCu2Si2. By exploiting the thermal broadening of the Fermi edge we analyze position, spectral weight, and temperature dependence of the low-energy 4f spectral features, whose major weight lies above the Fermi level E(F). We also present theoretical predictions based on the single-impurity Anderson model using an extended noncrossing approximation, including all spin-orbit and crystal field splittings of the 4f states. The excellent agreement between theory and experiment provides strong evidence that the spectral properties of CeCu2Si2 can be described by single-impurity Kondo physics down to T approximately 5 K.     

Grüneisen ratio divergence at the quantum critical point in CeCu(6-x)Agx

The heavy-fermion system CeCu6-xAgx is studied at its antiferromagnetic quantum critical point, xc=0.2, by low-temperature (T> or =50 mK) specific heat, C(T), and volume thermal expansion, beta(T), measurements. Whereas C/T proportional to log((T0/T) would be compatible with the predictions of the itinerant spin-density-wave (SDW) theory for two-dimensional critical spin fluctuations, beta(T)/T and the Grüneisen ratio, Gamma(T) proportional to beta/C, diverge much weaker than expected, in strong contrast to this model. Both C and beta, plotted as a function of the reduced temperature t=T/T0 with T0=4.6 K, are similar to what was observed for YbRh2(Si(0.95)Ge(0.05))2 (T0=23.3 K), indicating a striking discrepancy to the SDW prediction in both systems.     

63Cu nuclear relaxation in the quantum critical point system CeCu5.9Au0.1

63Cu NQR measurements of the 63Cu T1 are reported for the quantum critical point system CeCu5.9Au0.1 over temperatures ranging from 0.1 up to 4.2 K. Below approximately 1 K the magnetization recovery exhibits a stable, nonexponential decay function which we believe signals the onset of 2D quantum critical fluctuations, as has been noted in the literature. We find T1(-1) is proportional to T0.75 for the region T < 1 K. The observed temperature dependence is in agreement with a phenomenological model of non-Fermi liquid behavior based on the uniform susceptibility but is inconsistent with calculations based on susceptibility peaks identified via neutron scattering experiments.     

Pressure tuning of the interplay of magnetism and superconductivity in CeCu2Si2

We carried out specific-heat and ac-susceptibility experiments under hydrostatic pressure to investigate the interplay of spin-density-wave antiferromagnetism (A) and superconductivity (S) in single-crystalline AS-type CeCu(2)Si(2). We find evidence for a line of magnetic-field- and pressure-tuned quantum critical points in the normal state in the zero-temperature magnetic field-pressure plane. Our analysis suggests an extension of this line into the superconducting state and corroborates the close connection of the underlying mechanisms leading to the formation of the antiferromagnetic and the superconducting states in AS-type CeCu(2)Si(2).     

Non-Fermi liquid states in the pressurized CeCu2(Si1-xGex)2 system: two critical points

In the archetypal strongly correlated electron superconductor CeCu2Si2 and its Ge-substituted alloys CeCu2(Si1-xGex)2 two quantum phase transitions--one magnetic and one of so far unknown origin-can be crossed as a function of pressure. We examine the associated anomalous normal state by detailed measurements of the low temperature resistivity (rho) power-law exponent alpha. At the lower critical point (at pcl, 1相似文献   

Imperfection of the Sm sublattice and valence instability in compounds based on SmB6

The magnetic susceptibility, electrical resistance, specific heat, and thermal expansion coefficient of SmB₆, Sm_0.8B₆, and Sm_1–x La_xB₆ (x=0.1 and 0.2) are measured in the temperature range T=4–300 K. The dispersion curves of the acoustic phonon branches in lanthanum-doped samples are studied. A combined analysis of the results confirms the existence of an activation gap in the electron density of states in both nonstoichiometric and lanthanum-doped compounds. The anomalies in the electronic component of the thermal expansion coefficient are associated to a considerable degree with the temperature variation of the valence and, like the magnetic susceptibility, reflect features of the f-electron excitation spectrum. It is found that lanthanum doping does not lead to significant changes in the anomalies in the phonon spectrum of SmB₆. It is established that the homogeneous intermediate-valent state of the samarium ion is fairly stable and is maintained when the perfection of the Sm sublattice is violated. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 115, 1024–1038 (March 1999)     

Magnetic, thermal and transport properties of NdMn2

Susceptibility, magnetisation, specific-heat, thermal expansion and electrical resistivity measurements have been performed on NdMn₂ between 1.5 K and room temperature. Discontinuities are observed in the susceptibility, magnetisation and resistivity and large anomalies in the specific heat and thermal expansion at T_N(=104 K). Additional anomalies are found at 7 K and around 20 K in the specific heat and thermal expansion. The results are shown to be compatible with the picture for this compound proposed by Ballou et al.     

Specific heat and magnetic susceptibility of MnF2 and Mn0.98Fe0.02F2 near TN

The antiferro- to paramagnetic phase transition of the weakly anisotropic compound MnF₂ has been studied by means of heat capacity, magnetic susceptibility and thermal expansion measurements. The critical-point parameters associated with the specific heat indicate a transition according to the theoretical Ising-model. The temperature derivative of the parallel magnetic susceptibility times temperature (d(χ∥T)/dT) and the c-axis thermal expansion coefficient show a critical behaviour very similar to that of the specific heat. The influence of iron doping on the critical behaviour has been investigated by studies on Mn_0.98Fe_0.02F₂. Specific heat and magnetic susceptibility measurements show an unexpectedly sharp transition although some rounding off is noticed as compared to pure MnF₂.     

Magnetovolume effects in Fe80-xNixCr20 alloys

Temperature and magnetic field dependences of the thermal expansion between 4 and 300 K and in fields up to 6 T were made on Fe_80-xNi_xCr₂₀ for 14⩽x⩽49 at%. This concentration range covered the regions in which the samples were antiferromagnetic, paramagnetic and ferromagnetic as well as spin glass and reentrant spin glass at low temperatures. We develop a method of determining the lattice contribution to the thermal expansion for such systems showing mixed magnetic behavior and analyze the present data accordingly. We find in ferromagnetic samples large magnetic contributions to the thermal expansion even at temperatures much higher than the Curie temperature. The field dependence of the lenght change shows behavior which is characteristic of the magnetic state of the system.     

Experimental study of the magnetic phase transition in the MnSi itinerant helimagnet

Magnetic susceptibility, heat capacity, thermal expansion, and resistivity of a high-quality single crystal of MnSi were carefully studied at ambient pressure. The calculated change in magnetic entropy in the temperature range 0–30 K is less than 0.1R, a low value that emphasizes the itinerant nature of magnetism in MnSi. A linear temperature term dominates the behavior of the thermal expansion coefficient in the range 30–150 K, which correlates to a large enhancement of the linear electronic term in the heat capacity. A surprising similarity between variation of the heat capacity, the thermal expansion coefficient, and the temperature derivative of resistivity through the phase transition in MnSi is observed. Specific forms of the heat capacity, thermal expansion coefficient, and temperature derivative of resistivity at the phase transition to a helical magnetic state near 29 K are interpreted as a combination of sharp first-order features and broad peaks or shallow valleys of yet unknown origin. The appearance of these broad satellites probably hints at a frustrated magnetic state in MnSi slightly above the transition temperature. Present experimental findings bring the current views on the phase diagram of MnSi into question. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Thermal expansion of Sn2P2S6 crystals

We present the results for thermal expansion coefficients of Sn₂P₂S₆ crystals determined both in the crystallographic system and the system based on eigenvectors of thermal expansion tensor. Peculiarities of temperature evolution of the indicative surface of thermal expansion tensor for Sn₂P₂S₆ are discussed, including the region of their ferroelectric phase transition.     

Thermal expansion anisotropy of β-TlInS2 crystals in the course of phase transitions

Basing on the thermal expansion studies performed for β-TlInS₂ crystals in the course of their phase transitions, we have found that the crystals aged for one year are composed from at least two polytypes, which undergo phase transitions at different temperatures. The detailed analysis of anisotropy of the thermal expansion demonstrates that all of the diagonal components of the thermal expansion tensor associated with the eigensystem have almost the same modules but differ by their signs. This leads to appearance of an elliptical conical surface of zero thermal expansion. The orientation of this surface does not depend on the temperature in the temperature interval under study. We have also found that the thermal expansion coefficients along the crystallographic a and b axes are close to zero.     

Magnetism, f-electron localization and superconductivity in 122-type heavy-fermion metals

Both CeCu2Si2 and YbRh2Si2 crystallize in the tetragonal ThCr2Si2 crystal structure. Recent neutron-scattering results on normal-state CeCu2Si2 reveal a slowing down of the quasielastic response which complies with the scaling expected for a quantum critical point (QCP) of itinerant, i.e., three-dimensional spin-density-wave (SDW), type. This interpretation is in full agreement with the non-Fermi-liquid behavior observed in transport and thermodynamic measurements. The momentum dependence of the magnetic excitation spectrum reveals two branches of an overdamped dispersive mode whose coupling to the heavy charge carriers is strongly retarded. These overdamped spin fluctuations are considered to be the driving force for superconductivity in CeCu2Si2 (Tc = 600 mK). The weak antiferromagnet YbRh2Si2 (TN = 70 mK) exhibits a magnetic-field-induced QCP at BN = 0.06 T (B⊥c). There is no indication of superconductivity down to T = 10 mK. The magnetic QCP appears to concur with a breakdown of the Kondo effect. Doping-induced variations of the average unit-cell volume result in a detachment of the magnetic and electronic instabilities. A comparison of the properties of these isostructural compounds suggests that 3D SDW QCPs are favorable for unconventional superconductivity. The question whether a Kondo-breakdown QCP may also give rise to superconductivity, however, remains to be clarified.     

Thermal expansion in YbGaGe

Thermal expansion and magnetic susceptibility measurements as a function of temperature are reported for YbGaGe. Despite the fact that this material has been claimed to show zero thermal expansion over a wide temperature range, we observe thermal expansion typical of metals and Pauli paramagnetic behavior, which perhaps indicates strong sample dependence in this system.     

Abnormalities of the thermal expansion of Bi2Sr2-xLaxCuO6 + δ high-temperature superconductor in the dielectric phase (x ≥ 0.8) and charge ordering in an oxygen sublattice

Abnormal negative thermal expansion of single crystals of high-temperature Bi₂Sr_{2 − x} La _x CuO_{6 + ·} superconductor in the dielectric phase (x ≥ 0.8) was detected at low temperatures. It was established that material shrinkage upon heating occurs at higher temperatures than in superconducting compositions. The anisotropic and nonmonotonous effect of a magnetic field of 3–6 T on the coefficient of thermal expansion was revealed. We attribute these abnormalities to the existence of superstructure charge ordering in the oxygen sublattice.     

Quantum critical scaling and the origin of non-fermi-liquid behavior in Sc1-xUxPd3

We used inelastic neutron scattering to study magnetic excitations of Sc1-xUxPd3 for U concentrations (x=0.25, 0.35) near the spin glass quantum critical point (QCP). The excitations are spatially incoherent, broad in energy (E=variant Planck's over 2piomega), and follow omega/T scaling at all wave vectors investigated. Since similar omega/T scaling has been observed for UCu5-xPdx and CeCu6-xAux near the antiferromagnetic QCP, we argue that the observed non-Fermi-liquid behavior in these f-electron materials arises from the critical phenomena near a T=0 K phase transition, irrespective of the nature of the transition.