Evidence of a Kondo lattice quantum critical point and of non-Fermi liquid behavior in the intercalated layered system V${}_5$S${}_8$

Abstract

By means of a specific heat, susceptibility and high-pressure electrical resistivity study, we show that the local magnetic moments of the intercalated V ions in V${}_5$S${}_8$ realize a prototype of Kondo lattice system, where an antiferromagnetic order of the moments coexists with a Fermi liquid in the VS${}_2$ layers with intermediate heavy Fermion properties. The antiferromagnetic order and the Fermi-liquid behavior are simultaneously suppressed at a critical pressure, $P_c=10$ GPa, signature of a quantum critical point, which supports a Kondo lattice scenario and raises the question whether, in the paramagnetic phase at higher pressures, the heavy quasiparticles survive or form a non-Fermi liquid phase governed by the Kondo interaction.

5 pages, 4 figures