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Pristine quantum criticality in a Kondo semimetal.
Wesley T Fuhrman1, Andrey Sidorenko2, Jonathan Hänel2
1Institute for Quantum Matter and Department of Physics and Astronomy, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
Science Advances
|June 17, 2021
Summary
This study reveals that the Kondo semimetal CeRu4Sn6 exhibits quantum criticality without external tuning, driven solely by temperature. This finding suggests such behavior may be common in semimetallic systems.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Materials Science
- Strongly Correlated Electron Systems
Background:
- Quantum criticality is key to understanding phases in correlated electron systems.
- Insulators and metals have been extensively studied, but semimetals remain less explored.
- Semimetals are of interest due to their nontrivial topology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate quantum criticality in the Kondo semimetal CeRu4Sn6.
- To explore the experimental behavior of semimetals in the context of quantum criticality.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic susceptibility measurements
- Specific heat measurements
- Inelastic neutron scattering experiments
Main Results:
- CeRu4Sn6 exhibits quantum criticality without external tuning, evidenced by power-law divergence in the magnetic Grüneisen ratio.
- Dynamical energy/temperature scaling in neutron response and temperature-dependent susceptibility indicate temperature as the sole critical energy scale.
- Observed behavior aligns with Kondo destruction quantum criticality.
Conclusions:
- CeRu4Sn6 is a quantum critical material without tuning, driven by temperature.
- The findings suggest that temperature-driven quantum criticality, similar to Kondo destruction, may be a generic feature in semimetals.
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