Magnetism in Nb(1-y)Fe(2+y) - composition and magnetic field dependence

We present a systematic study of transport and thermodynamic properties of the Laves phase system Nb$_{1-y}$Fe$_{2+y}$. Our measurements confirm that Fe-rich samples, as well as those rich in Nb (for $\mid y\mid\geq 0.02$), show bulk ferromagnetism at low temperature. For stoichiometric NbFe$_2$, on the other hand, magnetization, magnetic susceptibility and magnetoresistance results point towards spin-density wave (SDW) order, possibly helical, with a small ordering wavevector $Q \sim 0.05$ \AA$^{-1}$. Our results suggest that on approaching the stoichiometric composition from the iron-rich side, ferromagnetism changes into long-wavelength SDW order. In this scenario, $Q$ changes continuously from 0 to small, finite values at a Lifshitz point in the phase diagram, which is located near $y=+0.02$. Further reducing the Fe content suppresses the SDW transition temperature, which extrapolates to zero at $y\approx -0.015$. Around this Fe content magnetic fluctuations dominate the temperature dependence of the resistivity and of the heat capacity which deviate from their conventional Fermi liquid forms, inferring the presence of a quantum critical point. Because the critical point is located between the SDW phase associated with stoichiometric NbFe$_2$ and the ferromagnetic order which reemerges for very Nb-rich NbFe$_2$, the observed temperature dependences could be attributed both to proximity to SDW order or to ferromagnetism.Comment: 13 pages, 20 figure

Quantum Tricritical Points in NbFe2_2

Quantum critical points (QCPs) emerge when a 2nd order phase transition is suppressed to zero temperature. In metals the quantum fluctuations at such a QCP can give rise to new phases including unconventional superconductivity. Whereas antiferromagnetic QCPs have been studied in considerable detail ferromagnetic (FM) QCPs are much harder to access. In almost all metals FM QCPs are avoided through either a change to 1st order transitions or through an intervening spin-density-wave (SDW) phase. Here, we study the prototype of the second case, NbFe$_2$. We demonstrate that the phase diagram can be modelled using a two-order-parameter theory in which the putative FM QCP is buried within a SDW phase. We establish the presence of quantum tricritical points (QTCPs) at which both the uniform and finite $q$ susceptibility diverge. The universal nature of our model suggests that such QTCPs arise naturally from the interplay between SDW and FM order and exist generally near a buried FM QCP of this type. Our results promote NbFe$_2$ as the first example of a QTCP, which has been proposed as a key concept in a range of narrow-band metals, including the prominent heavy-fermion compound YbRh$_2$Si$_2$.Comment: 21 pages including S

Quantum tricritical points in NbFe2

Quantum critical points (QCPs) emerge when a 2nd order phase transition is suppressed to zero temperature. In metals the quantum fluctuations at such a QCP can give rise to new phases including unconventional superconductivity. Whereas antiferromagnetic QCPs have been studied in considerable detail ferromagnetic (FM) QCPs are much harder to access. In almost all metals FM QCPs are avoided through either a change to 1st order transitions or through an intervening spin-density-wave (SDW) phase. Here, we study the prototype of the second case, NbFe$_2$. We demonstrate that the phase diagram can be modelled using a two-order-parameter theory in which the putative FM QCP is buried within a SDW phase. We establish the presence of quantum tricritical points (QTCPs) at which both the uniform and finite $q$ susceptibility diverge. The universal nature of our model suggests that such QTCPs arise naturally from the interplay between SDW and FM order and exist generally near a buried FM QCP of this type. Our results promote NbFe$_2$ as the first example of a QTCP, which has been proposed as a key concept in a range of narrow-band metals, including the prominent heavy-fermion compound YbRh$_2$Si$_2$

Logarithmic Fermi-Liquid Breakdown in NbFe2

International audienceThe d-electron low temperature magnet NbFe2 is poised near the threshold of magnetism at ambient pressure, and can be tuned across the associated quantum critical point by adjusting the precise stoichiometry within the Nb1 yFe2 y homogeneity range. In a nearly critical single crystal (y = - 0.01), we observe a T$^{3/2} power-law dependence of the resistivity on temperature T and a logarithmic temperature dependence of the Sommerfeld coefficient$\gamma = C/T$ of the specific heat capacity C over nearly 2 orders of magnitude in temperature, extending down to 0.1 K

Quantum phase transitions in NbFe2 and Ca3Ru2O7

We examine the low temperature states of two transition metal compounds: (i) NbFe2 is poised on the threshold of ferromagnetism and can be pushed into a spin-aligned state at low temperature by modifying the composition slightly. Stoichiometric NbFe2 has been reported as a rare example of low-temperature spin density wave order in a d-metal system. We have used pressure, field and composition tuning to examine the phase diagram of NbFe2. Near the quantum critical point, we find distinct non-Fermi liquid forms of the resistivity and heat capacity, whereas we observe strong, hysteretic magnetoresistance effects deep in the ordered phase. (ii) Ca3Ru2O7 undergoes first. a magnetic transition (T-N = 56 K) and then a structural transition (T-S = 48 K) on cooling. Most of the Fermi surface is gapped out at low temperature, leading to a very low carrier density and small Fermi surface pockets. Pressure suppresses both T-N and T-S and, for p &gt; 3.5 GPa, induces a third low temperature state, which is robust up to at least 7.5 GPa. (C) 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH &amp; Co. KGaA, Weinheim</p