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Magnetic and Structural Quantum Phase Transitions in CeCu_{6-x}Au_{x} are Independent
K Grube1, L Pintschovius1, F Weber1
1Institut für Festkörperphysik, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie, D-76021 Karlsruhe, Germany.
Physical Review Letters
|September 8, 2018
Summary
In heavy-fermion compounds, magnetic quantum criticality stems solely from magnetic fluctuations, unaffected by structural distortions. This finding clarifies the behavior of CeCu_{6-x}Au_{x} under varying conditions.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Heavy-fermion compounds like CeCu_{6-x}Au_{x} are crucial for studying unconventional magnetic quantum criticality.
- This system exhibits a structural transition from orthorhombic to monoclinic symmetry and antiferromagnetic order at low temperatures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interplay between magnetic and structural fluctuations in CeCu_{6-x}Au_{x}.
- To determine if the structural transition influences magnetic quantum-critical behavior.
Main Methods:
- Neutron-scattering measurements were performed on CeCu_{6-x}Au_{x} samples.
- Thermodynamic measurements were conducted across a range of Gold (Au) concentrations (0≤x≤0.3).
- Hydrostatic and chemical pressure were applied to separate phase transitions.
Main Results:
- The phase diagram revealed coexistence of antiferromagnetic and monoclinic phases in a narrow concentration range (0.1 < x < 0.15).
- Magnetic quantum criticality was found to originate exclusively from magnetic fluctuations.
- The monoclinic distortion did not affect the low-temperature quantum criticality.
Conclusions:
- The structural transition in CeCu_{6-x}Au_{x} does not influence its unconventional magnetic quantum criticality.
- Magnetic fluctuations are the sole drivers of quantum criticality in this heavy-fermion system.
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