Non-Divergent Grüneisen Parameter in Quantum Critical Quasicrystal Yb$_{15}$Al$_{34}$Au$_{51}$: Reflection of Robustness of Quantum Criticality under Pressure

Abstract

The mechanism of not diverging Grüneisen parameter in the quantum critical heavy-fermion quasicrystal (QC) Yb$_{15}$Al$_{34}$Au$_{51}$ is analyzed. We construct the formalism for calculating the specific heat $C_V(T)$, the thermal-expansion coefficient $α(T)$, and the Grüneisen parameter $Γ(T)$ near the quantum critical point of the Yb valence transition. By applying the framework to the QC, we calculate $C_V(T)$, $α(T)$, and $Γ(T)$, which explains the measurements. Not diverging $Γ(T)$ is attributed to the robustness of the quantum criticality in the QC under pressure. The difference in $Γ(T)$ at the lowest temperature between the QC and approximant crystal is shown to reflect the difference in the volume derivative of characteristic energy scales of the critical Yb-valence fluctuation and the Kondo temperature. Possible implications of our theory to future experiments are also discussed.