Crystal-field effects in the first-order valence transition in YbInCu4 induced by an external magnetic field

Abstract

As it was shown earlier [Dzero, Gor'kov, and Zvezdin, J. Phys.:Condens. Matter 12, L711 (2000)] the properties of the first-order valence phase transition in YbInCu4 in the wide range of magnetic fields and temperatures are perfectly described in terms of a simple entropy transition for free Yb ions. Within this approach, the crystal field effects have been taken into account and we show that the phase diagram in the $B-T$ plane acquires some anisotropy with respect to the direction of an external magnetic field.

4 pages, 3 eps figures; minor changes; to be piblished in J. of Physics: Cond. Mat