New Universality Class of Quantum Criticality in Ce- and Yb-based Heavy Fermions

Abstract

A new universality class of quantum criticality emerging in itinerant electron systems with strong local electron correlations is discussed. The quantum criticality of a Ce- or Yb-valence transition gives us a unified explanation for unconventional criticality commonly observed in heavy fermion metals such as YbRh2Si2 and β-YbAlB4, YbCu5-xAlx, and CeIrIn5. The key origin is due to the locality of the critical valence fluctuation mode emerging near the quantum critical end point of the first-order valence transition, which is caused by strong electron correlations for f electrons. Wider relevance of this new criticality and important future measurements to uncover its origin are also discussed.

20 pages, 4 figures

References in corpus (12)

• Signatures of valence fluctuations in CeCu2Si2 under high pressure
• Multiple energy scales at a quantum critical point
• Fermi-surface collapse and dynamical scaling near a quantum critical point
• Quantum Valence Criticality as Origin of Unconventional Critical Phenomena
• Fermi Surface Reconstruction without Breakdown of Kondo Screening at Quantum Critical Point
• Roles of Critical Valence Fluctuations in Ce- and Yb-Based Heavy Fermion Metals
• Superconductivity emerging near quantum critical point of valence transition
• Magnetic-Field Dependence of the YbRh2Si2 Fermi Surface
• Magnetic-Field Control of Quantum Critical Points of Valence Transition
• Valence Fluctuations Revealed by Magnetic Field Scan: Comparison with Experiments in YbXCu_4 (X=In, Ag, Cd) and CeYIn_5 (Y=Ir, Rh)
• Violation of critical universality at the antiferromagnetic phase transition of YbRh2Si2
• Tricritical Phenomena at the Cerium $\gamma \to \alpha$ Transition

Cited by in corpus (9)

• Unconventional Quantum Criticality due to Critical Valence Transition
• Magnetic orders induced by RKKY interaction in Tsai-type quasicrystalline approximant Au-Al-Gd
• Optical study of archetypical valence-fluctuating Eu-systems
• T/B Scaling in beta-YbAlB4
• Pressure-induced ferromagnetism with strong Ising-type anisotropy in YbCu${}_2$Si${}_2$
• New Quantum Criticality Revealed under Pressure
• Kondo breakdown transitions and phase-separation tendencies in valence-fluctuating heavy-fermion materials
• Critical Behavior and Duality in Dimensionally Reduced Planar Chern-Simons Superconductors
• Magnetic structure and crystal field states of antiferromagnetic CeNiGe${}_3$: Neutron scattering and $\mu$SR investigations