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Quantum valence criticality in a correlated metal
- Source :
- Science Advances
- Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- We discover the experimental case of a quantum valence criticality leading to the breakdown of the Fermi liquid state.<br />A valence critical end point existing near the absolute zero provides a unique case for the study of a quantum version of the strong density fluctuation at the Widom line in the supercritical fluids. Although singular charge and orbital dynamics are suggested theoretically to alter the electronic structure significantly, breaking down the standard quasi-particle picture, this has never been confirmed experimentally to date. We provide the first empirical evidence that the proximity to quantum valence criticality leads to a clear breakdown of Fermi liquid behavior. Our detailed study of the mixed valence compound α-YbAlB4 reveals that a small chemical substitution induces a sharp valence crossover, accompanied by a pronounced non–Fermi liquid behavior characterized by a divergent effective mass and unusual T/B scaling in the magnetization.
- Subjects :
- Physics
Condensed Matter::Quantum Gases
Multidisciplinary
Valence (chemistry)
Condensed matter physics
Astrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
SciAdv r-articles
02 engineering and technology
Electronic structure
021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology
01 natural sciences
Magnetization
Condensed Matter::Materials Science
Effective mass (solid-state physics)
0103 physical sciences
Condensed Matter::Strongly Correlated Electrons
Fermi liquid theory
010306 general physics
0210 nano-technology
Scaling
Quantum
Absolute zero
Research Articles
Research Article
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 23752548
- Volume :
- 4
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Science advances
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....7452f506c01d626194a3b89a116152b9