arXiv · 1905.02861
Orbitally defined field-induced electronic state in a Kondo lattice
Abstract
CeRhIn$_{5}$ is a Kondo-lattice prototype in which a magnetic field B$\bf{^{\ast}\simeq}$ 30 T induces an abrupt Fermi-surface (FS) reconstruction and pronounced in-plane electrical transport anisotropy all within its antiferromagnetic state. Though the antiferromagnetic order at zero field is well-understood, the origin of an emergent state at B$^{\ast}$ remains unknown due to challenges inherent to probing states microscopically at high fields. Here, we report low-temperature Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) measurements revealing a discontinuous decrease in the $^{115}$In formal Knight shift, without changes in crystal or magnetic structures, of CeRhIn$_{5}$ at fields spanning B$^{\ast}$. We show that the emergent state above B$^{\ast}$ results from a change in Ce's 4f orbitals that arises from field-induced evolution of crystal-electric field (CEF) energy levels. This change in orbital character enhances hybridisation between the 4f and the conduction electrons (c.e.) that leads ultimately to an itinerant quantum-critical point at B$\bf{_{c0} \simeq}$ 50 T.
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G. G. Lesseux, H. Sakai, T. Hattori, Y. Tokunaga, S. Kambe, P. L. Kuhns, A. P. Reyes, J. D. Thompson, P. G. Pagliuso, R. R. Urbano. 2019-05-08. Orbitally defined field-induced electronic state in a Kondo lattice. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.101.165111
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