Correlation between the phase diagram and the crystal-field wave functions of CeRh(1-x)Ir(x)In5

TL;DR

This study links the crystal-field wave functions of CeRh(1-x)Ir(x)In5 to its phase diagram, revealing how electronic states influence magnetic and superconducting phases in this material.

Contribution

It provides the first direct determination of the ground state wave functions and correlates them with the material's phase transitions across different electronic states.

Findings

Wave functions correlate with antiferromagnetic and superconducting phases.

Certain wave functions influence magnetic order and hybridization.

Superconductivity emerges at specific electronic configurations.

Abstract

The 4f crystal-electric field ground state wave functions of CeRh(1-x)Ir(x)In5 have been determined by linear polarization dependent soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at T = 8 K. We demonstrate that these ground state wave functions correlate with the phase diagram of the substitution series, which covers long-range antiferromagnetic order, unconventional superconductivity, and coexistence of these two states. We discuss how certain wave functions could affect magnetic order and anisotropic hybridization, facilitating the formation of a superconducting ground state at low temperatures.