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

Abstract

We investigate the Yb valence instabilities in the strongly correlated YbPd compound using resonant X-ray emission spectroscopy as a function of pressure across the charge-order (CO) transition. At a low temperature (T = 30 K) in the CO phase, the Yb $4f$ valence remains nearly constant up to a pressure P${}_L$ = 1.5 $\pm 0.2$ GPa, and then increases gradually at higher pressures. In contrast, at room temperature in the normal phase, an anomalous decrease of the Yb $4f$ valence is observed, without any accompanying structural phase transition. This behavior is corroborated by a systematic pressure-dependent decrease of the unit-cell volume. Based on a Birch-Murnaghan analysis, the compressibility indicates hardening of the lattice with applied pressure up to a distinct kink seen at P${}_K$ = 1.6 $\pm 0.2$ GPa. In contrast, for P $>$ P${}_K$, the Yb $4f$ valence saturates and the compressibility reveals a counterintuitive pressure-induced softening. The results show a minimum in the compressibility of YbPd (with $f^0$-$f^1$ hole-type mixed-valence), reminiscent of the maximum in compressibility seen in the $\gamma$-$\alpha$ first-order isostructural phase transition in cerium (with $f^0$-$f^1$ electron-type mixed-valence).

6 pages, 4 figures

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