Quantum Criticality and Inhomogeneous Magnetic Order in Fe-doped alpha-YbAlB4

Abstract

The intermediate-valent polymorphs $\alpha$- and $\beta$-YbAlB${}_4$ exhibit quantum criticality and other novel properties not usually associated with intermediate valence. Iron doping induces quantum criticality in $\alpha$-YbAlB${}_4$ and magnetic order in both compounds. We report results of muon spin relaxation ($\mu$SR) experiments in the intermediate-valent alloys $\alpha$-YbAl${}_{1-x}$Fe${}_x$B${}_4$, $x=0.014$ and 0.25. For $x=0.014$ we find no evidence for magnetic order down to 25 mK\@. The dynamic muon spin relaxation rate ${\lambda }_d$ exhibits a power-law temperature dependence ${\lambda }_d\propto T^{-a}$, $a=0.40(4)$, in the temperature range 100 mK--2 K, in disagreement with predictions by theories of antiferromagnetic (AFM) or valence quantum critical behavior. For $x=0.25$, where AFM order develops in the temperature range 7.5--10 K, where we find coexistence of meso- or macroscopically segregated paramagnetic and AFM phases, with considerable disorder in the latter down to 2 K.

9 pages, 10 figures, to be published in Phys. Rev. B