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Published on: December 29, 2016
Field-dependent ordered phases and Kondo phenomena in the filled skutterudite compound PrOs4As12
M B Maple1, N P Butch, N A Frederick
1Department of Physics, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA. mbmaple@physics.ucsd.edu
Summary
This study investigates the Praseodymium Osmium Arsenide (PrOs4As12) compound, revealing two distinct ordered phases below 2.3 K. Antiferromagnetic ordering was confirmed, with specific heat measurements indicating complex electronic behavior influenced by Kondo interactions.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Quantum Materials
Background:
- Filled skutterudite compounds, such as PrOs4As12, exhibit complex electronic and magnetic properties.
- Understanding the interplay between electronic correlations, magnetic ordering, and low-temperature phenomena is crucial for novel material design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the low-temperature electronic and magnetic phases of the PrOs4As12 compound.
- To investigate the influence of magnetic fields on the material's properties.
- To elucidate the underlying physical mechanisms, such as Kondo physics, governing its behavior.
Main Methods:
- Electrical resistivity, specific heat, and magnetization measurements were performed down to 80 mK and up to 16 T.
- Neutron-scattering experiments were conducted in zero magnetic field to determine the magnetic ground state.
Main Results:
- Two ordered phases were identified below approximately 2.3 K and 3 T.
- Neutron scattering confirmed an antiferromagnetic ground state below 2.28 K.
- Electronic-specific heat coefficient showed distinct behavior in both ordered and paramagnetic states, consistent with Kondo behavior and a field-dependent resonance-level model.
Conclusions:
- PrOs4As12 exhibits complex magnetic ordering and electronic behavior at low temperatures.
- The observed phenomena are strongly influenced by single-ion Kondo interactions and magnetic fields.
- The findings contribute to the understanding of correlated electron systems in skutterudite materials.
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