Charge-doping-driven evolution of magnetism and non-Fermi-liquid behavior in the filled skutterudite...

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Materials Science
• Quantum Materials

Background:

• Cerium-based compounds exhibit fascinating electronic properties, including intermediate valence and heavy-fermion behavior.
• Filled skutterudites, like CePt4Ge12, are promising materials for exploring correlated electron phenomena.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of Germanium (Ge) to Antimony (Sb) substitution in CePt4Ge12.
• To understand the interplay between Kondo physics, local 4f moments, and magnetic ordering.
• To characterize the emergence of non-Fermi liquid behavior.

Main Methods:

• Experimental synthesis and characterization of substituted CePt4Ge12 compounds.
• Transport and magnetic measurements to probe electronic and magnetic properties.
• Band-structure calculations to support experimental observations.

Main Results:

• Sb substitution drives CePt4Ge12 from an intermediate valence state towards a strongly correlated and antiferromagnetic state.
• Evidence of a delicate balance between Kondo physics and local 4f moment formation.
• Observation of an extended non-Fermi liquid region explained by a Kondo-disorder model.

Conclusions:

• The electronic and magnetic properties of CePt4Ge12 are governed by Sb substitution, electron doping, and volume effects.
• The study highlights a complex phase diagram driven by competing electronic interactions.
• The findings contribute to understanding correlated electron systems and quantum criticality.