Incoherence–coherence crossover and low-temperature Fermi-liquid-like behavior in AFe2As2 (A = K, Rb, Cs): evidence from electrical transport properties

Abstract

We study the normal-state transport properties of AFe2As2 (A = K, Rb and Cs) single crystals using Hall coefficient, resistivity and magnetoresistance (MR) measurements. In all three materials, the Hall coefficient RH shows a strong temperature dependence, which is typical for multi-band systems. In particular, RH develops an upturn below a characteristic temperature , which is in agreement with the incoherence–coherence crossover reported in recent nuclear magnetic resonance studies. A Fermi-liquid-like state, characterized by T 2 behavior of the resistivity and a positive orbital MR obeying Kohler’s rule, emerges below TFL ∼0.4 . The superconducting transition temperature Tc experiences a simultaneous suppression with and TFL as the alkali ion’s radius increases from A = K to A = Cs, suggesting that the unconventional superconductivity in the AFe2As2 series is related to the strength of the electronic coherence. A phase diagram, similar to that in the heavy fermion Kondo lattice system, is obtained. Based on all the experimental evidence, we argue that the physical properties of this family of heavily hole-doped Fe-based superconductors are controlled by the hybridization between itinerant carriers and localized orbitals, and the Kondo scenario could be effective in such a case.