Abstract
CeRhIn5 provides a textbook example of quantum criticality in a heavy fermion system: Pressure suppresses local-moment antiferromagnetic (AFM) order and induces superconductivity in a dome around the associated quantum critical point (QCP) near pc ≈ 23 kbar. Strong magnetic fields also suppress the AFM order at a field-induced QCP at Bc ≈ 50 T. In its vicinity, a nematic phase at B* ≈ 28 T characterized by a large in-plane resistivity anisotropy emerges. Here, we directly investigate the interrelation between these phenomena via magnetoresistivity measurements under high pressure. As pressure increases, the nematic transition shifts to higher fields, until it vanishes just below pc. While pressure suppresses magnetic order in zero field as pc is approached, we find magnetism to strengthen under strong magnetic fields due to suppression of the Kondo effect. We reveal a strongly non-mean-field-like phase diagram, much richer than the common local-moment description of CeRhIn5 would suggest.
Highlights
CeRhIn5 provides a textbook example of quantum criticality in a heavy fermion system: Pressure suppresses local-moment antiferromagnetic (AFM) order and induces superconductivity in a dome around the associated quantum critical point (QCP) near pc ≈ 23 kbar
The antiferromagnetic (AFM) order is suppressed under pressure, and superconductivity emerges in a dome located around the associated AFM quantum critical point (QCP) at pc ≈ 23 kbar[9]
The electric resistivity is a formidable indicator for any changes in a metal, yet as a nonthermodynamic probe it must be complemented by other measurements to firmly establish the nature and symmetry of the phases occurring in a sample
Summary
CeRhIn5 provides a textbook example of quantum criticality in a heavy fermion system: Pressure suppresses local-moment antiferromagnetic (AFM) order and induces superconductivity in a dome around the associated quantum critical point (QCP) near pc ≈ 23 kbar. A field-induced phase transition was observed at intermediate magnetic fields B* ≥ 28 T12,15,16, and a nematic character of this high-field phase has been reported, based on the sudden emergence of an in-plane resistivity anisotropy[13]. A nematic state, as proposed, electronically breaks the C4 rotational symmetry in the (a, b) plane, and must be reflected by a small lattice distortion[17], which has recently been verified by magnetostriction experiments confirming the thermodynamic character of the transition at B*18 For these reasons we shall refer to the sudden and strong field-induced transport anisotropy at B* as nematic for simplicity. It is natural to associate this field with the field-induced reentrance of AFM order as expected
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