Abstract
The filled skutterudite CePt4Ge12 is reported to be at the border between an intermediate valence (IV) state and a Kondo lattice behavior. We report here the first inelastic neutron scattering experiments, carried out on the Ce compound and its non-magnetic counterpart LaPt4Ge12. Prior the neutron studies, the structural and magnetic properties of both samples have been determined. Inelastic neutron scattering spectra are dominated by phonon contribution for both compounds. A rattling vibration mode is observed at 6.9 meV and 7.5 meV for the Ce and La compounds, respectively. In CePt4Ge12 no crystal field excitation could be resolved. Only a small and wide extra contribution at high energy (22-28 meV) is observed. This result would be more consistent with an IV behavior.
Highlights
Rare-earth (RE) filled skutterudites exhibit a large variety of topical magnetic and electrical properties
With the aim to discriminate between intermediate valence or Kondo lattice behavior in CePt4Ge12 we undertook a first study by inelastic neutron scattering
The present Inelastic neutron scattering (INS) results on CePt4Ge12 clearly confirm that no “normal” CEF excitation exists in the explored energy range excluding a Kondo behavior
Summary
Rare-earth (RE) filled skutterudites exhibit a large variety of topical magnetic and electrical properties. Inelastic neutron scattering (INS) has been proved to be a very original and powerful technique to study heavy fermions and intermediate valence systems [6]. At temperatures much lower than the characteristic Kondo energy, TK (in IV systems TK may vary from 100 up to 700 K), the scattering function presents a wide inelastic structure at high energy.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 call
