427 research outputs found
Superconductivity in heavy fermion compounds
We review the current state of experimental and theoretical investigations of
heavy fermion superconductors. We discuss most of the Ce-based compounds like
Ce122, Ce115, Ce218 and Ce131 classes and U-based superconductors like UBe_13
and UPd_2Al_3. In the former the emphasis is on the connection to quantum
critical phenomena and non-Fermi liquid behaviour. Recent neutron scattering
and hydrostatic pressure results on SDW/SC competition in the Ce122 system are
included. For the U-compounds we discuss the significance of dual models with
both localised and itinerant 5f electrons for mass enhancement and
superconducting pair formation. Itinerant spin fluctuation theories for
unconventional superconductivity are also reviewed.Comment: 74 pages, 29 figures. For a version of the manuscript including
higher-resolution figures, see http://www.cpfs.mpg.de/~thalm/SCMaterials.pd
Multidimensional entropy landscape of quantum criticality
The Third Law of Thermodynamics states that the entropy of any system in
equilibrium has to vanish at absolute zero temperature. At nonzero
temperatures, on the other hand, matter is expected to accumulate entropy near
a quantum critical point (QCP), where it undergoes a continuous transition from
one ground state to another. Here, we determine, based on general thermodynamic
principles, the spatial-dimensional profile of the entropy S near a QCP and its
steepest descent in the corresponding multidimensional stress space. We
demonstrate this approach for the canonical quantum critical compound
CeCu6-xAux near its onset of antiferromagnetic order. We are able to link the
directional stress dependence of S to the previously determined geometry of
quantum critical fluctuations. Our demonstration of the multidimensional
entropy landscape provides the foundation to understand how quantum criticality
nucleates novel phases such as high-temperature superconductivity.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figure
High-temperature signatures of quantum criticality in heavy fermion systems
We propose a new criterion for distinguishing the Hertz-Millis (HM) and the
local quantum critical (LQC) mechanism in heavy fermion systems with a magnetic
quantum phase transition (QPT). The criterion is based on our finding that the
spin screening of Kondo ions can be completely suppressed by the RKKY coupling
to the surrounding magnetic ions even without magnetic ordering and that,
consequently, the signature of this suppression can be observed in
spectroscopic measurements above the magnetic ordering temperature. We apply
the criterion to high-resolution photoemission (UPS) measurements on
CeCuAu and conclude that the QPT in this system is dominated by
the LQC scenario.Comment: Inveted paper, International Conference on Magnetism, ICM 2009,
Karlsruhe. Published version, added discussions of the relevance of
Fermi-surface fluctuations and of a structural transition near the QC
Echo of the Quantum Phase Transition of CeCuAu in XPS: Breakdown of Kondo Screening
We present an X-ray photoemission study of the heavy-fermion system
CeCuAu across the magnetic quantum phase transition of this
compound at temperatures above the single-ion Kondo temperature . In
dependence of the Au concentration we observe a sudden change of the
-occupation number and the core-hole potential at the
critical concentration . We interpret these findings in the framework
of the single-impurity Anderson model. Our results are in excellent agreement
with findings from earlier UPS measurements %\cite{klein08qpt} and provide
further information about the precursors of quantum criticality at elevated
temperatures.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures; published version, references updated, minor
changes in wordin
Magnetic-field enhanced aniferromagnetism in non-centrosymmetric heavy-fermion superconductor CePtSi
The effect of magnetic field on the static and dynamic spin correlations in
the non-centrosymmetric heavy-fermion superconductor CePtSi was
investigated by neutron scattering. The application of a magnetic field B
increases the antiferromagnetic (AFM) peak intensity. This increase depends
strongly on the field direction: for B[0 0 1] the intensity
increases by a factor of 4.6 at a field of 6.6 T, which corresponds to more
than a doubling of the AFM moment, while the moment increases by only 10 % for
B[1 0 0] at 5 T. This is in strong contrast to the inelastic
response near the antiferromagnetic ordering vector, where no marked field
variations are observed for B[0 0 1] up to 3.8 T. The results
reveal that the AFM state in CePtSi, which coexists with superconductivity,
is distinctly different from other unconventional superconductors.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
Time-resolved collapse and revival of the Kondo state near a quantum phase transition
One of the most successful paradigms of many-body physics is the concept of
quasiparticles: excitations in strongly interacting matter behaving like weakly
interacting particles in free space. Quasiparticles in metals are very robust
objects. Yet, when a system's ground state undergoes a qualitative change at a
quantum critical point (QCP), the quasiparticles may disintegrate and give way
to an exotic quantum-fluid state of matter. The nature of this breakdown is
intensely debated, because the emergent quantum fluid dominates the material
properties up to high temperature and might even be related to the occurence of
superconductivity in some compounds. Here we trace the dynamics of
heavy-fermion quasiparticles in CeCuAu and monitor their
evolution towards the QCP in time-resolved experiments, supported by many-body
calculations. A terahertz pulse disrupts the many-body heavy-fermion state.
Under emission of a delayed, phase-coherent terahertz reflex the heavy-fermion
state recovers, with a coherence time 100 times longer than typically
associated with correlated metals. The quasiparticle weight collapses towards
the QCP, yet its formation temperature remains constant -- phenomena believed
to be mutually exclusive. Coexistence in the same experiment calls for
revisions in our view on quantum criticality.Comment: Published version, including data on CeCu6, CeCu5.9Au0.1, and
CeCu5Au1 and extended Supplementary Information. 7 pages, 4 figures,
Supplementary Information: 5 pages, 3 figure
Quantum criticality in the cubic heavy-fermion system CeIn_{3-x}Sn_x
We report a comprehensive study of CeInSn single crystals close to the antiferromagnetic (AF) quantum critical
point (QCP) at by means of the low-temperature thermal
expansion and Gr\"uneisen parameter. This system represents the first example
for a {\it cubic} heavy fermion (HF) in which can be suppressed
{\it continuously} down to T=0. A characteristic sign change of the Gr\"uneisen
parameter between the AF and paramagnetic state indicates the accumulation of
entropy close to the QCP. The observed quantum critical behavior is compatible
with the predictions of the itinerant theory for three-dimensional critical
spinfluctuations. This has important implications for the role of the
dimensionality in HF QCPs.Comment: Physical Review Letters, to be publishe
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