Universal scaling in the optical conductivity of heavy fermion compounds

Abstract

Optical conductivity spectra [ σ ( ω ) ] have been measured for many heavy-fermion (HF) Ce and Yb compounds. A characteristic mid-infrared peak has been observed in σ ( ω ) of these compounds, and has been analyzed in terms of the conduction ( c)-f electron hybridized bands. A universal scaling is found in terms of the observed peak energies for these HF compounds. This optical scaling is discussed in comparison with other universal relations found for HF compounds such as the Kadowaki–Woods relation.