Variation of Pressure-Induced Valence Transition with Approximation Degree in Yb-Based Quasicrystalline Approximants

Abstract

We have synthesized new Tsai-type Yb-based intermediate-valence approximant crystals (ACs) with different degree of approximation to quasicrystal, Zn--Au--Yb 1/1 and 2/1 AC, and studied the external pressure effect on their Yb mean-valence $\nu$. Whereas 1/1 AC distinctly exhibits a first-order-like jump in $\nu$ at a transition pressure $P_{\mathrm{v}}$, 2/1 AC only shows an indistinct anomaly at $P_{\mathrm{v}}$. We have also studied the pressure dependence of the $\nu$ of Au--Al--Yb 1/1 AC, which is a prototypal AC exhibiting pressure-induced quantum criticality. It shows a continuous valence anomaly at a critical pressure $P_{\mathrm{c}}$ where the magnetic susceptibility diverges toward zero temperature, in contrast to the valence jump in the Zn--Au--Yb 1/1 AC. These results are discussed based on a theoretical model of quantum critical valence fluctuation.

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• Quantum critical state in a magnetic quasicrystal
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• Roles of Critical Valence Fluctuations in Ce- and Yb-Based Heavy Fermion Metals
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• Icosahedral quasicrystal, 1/1 and 2/1 approximants in Zn-based ternary alloys containing Au and Yb/Tb

Cited by in corpus (1)

• Anomalous pressure dependence of the bulk modulus and Yb valence in cubic YbPd