Robust Fermi-Surface Morphology of CeRhIn_{5} across the Putative Field-Induced Quantum Critical Point

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Quantum Materials Science
• Magnetism and Magnetic Materials

Background:

• Heavy-fermion materials like CeRhIn5 exhibit complex electronic behavior due to strongly correlated 4f electrons.
• Understanding the electronic structure and Fermi surface is crucial for characterizing quantum critical phenomena and phase transitions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the electronic structure and Fermi surface of CeRhIn5 under high magnetic fields.
• To determine the nature of Ce 4f electrons (localized vs. itinerant) and its implications for phase transitions.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive de Haas-van Alphen (dHvA) measurements up to 70 Tesla.
• Angle-dependent dHvA spectroscopy.
• Comparison with non-4f analog LaRhIn5 and band-structure calculations.

Main Results:

• Observed emergence of new dHvA frequencies at high fields due to magnetic breakdown, including the previously unobserved β1 branch.
• Evidence that Ce 4f electrons in CeRhIn5 remain localized across the entire magnetic field range studied.
• Ruled out significant Fermi surface reconstruction at the nematic phase transition (B* ≈ 30 T) and quantum critical point (Bc ≃ 50 T).

Conclusions:

• The Fermi surface of CeRhIn5 is robust and does not undergo significant reconstruction under high magnetic fields.
• The 4f electrons in CeRhIn5 are confirmed to be localized, both within and outside the antiferromagnetic phase.
• This localization challenges models predicting Fermi surface changes at proposed quantum critical points.