Abstract
Competing interactions in the presence of coupled spin, charge, and lattice degrees of freedom in heavy-fermion materials lead to a near degeneracy of ground states in some systems. A small perturbation in unit-cell volume or composition subsequently can produce a qualitative change in the ground state, for example, from magnetically ordered to superconducting, with, in some instances, the appearance of a non-Fermi-liquid (NFL) state near their boundary. We have studied two heavy-fermion materials, CeCu 2Si 2 and CeRh 2Si 2, which illustrate these behaviors. Measurements of the atomic structure of CeCu 2+ x Si 2 as a function of x suggest that structural inhomogeneity may influence the preferred ground state and the existence of NFL behavior in this material. Thermal expansion measurements on CeRh 2Si 2 as a function of pressure reveal the evolution of spin-lattice coupling as the balance between RKKY and Kondo interactions is tuned by small volume changes.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
