Thermoelectric power as a probe of density of states in correlated actinide materials: the case of PuCoGa$_{5}$ superconductor

TL;DR

This study uses thermoelectric power measurements to probe the density of states in the correlated superconductor PuCoGa$_{5}$, linking transport data with photoemission results to understand 5f-electron behavior.

Contribution

It demonstrates that Seebeck coefficient measurements can serve as a tool to investigate the electronic density of states in actinide materials, complementing photoemission spectroscopy.

Findings

Consistent with intermediate valence nature of 5f-electrons.

Thermoelectric power reflects the quasiparticle density of states.

Proposes Seebeck coefficient as a probe for electronic structure.

Abstract

We present measurements of the thermoelectric power of the plutonium-based unconventional superconductor PuCoGa$_{5}$. The data is interpreted within a phenomenological model for the quasiparticle density of states of intermediate valence systems and the results are compared with results obtained from photoemission spectroscopy. The results are consistent with intermediate valence nature of 5$f$-electrons, furthermore, we propose that measurements of the Seebeck coefficient can be used as a probe of density of states in this material, thereby providing a link between transport measurements and photoemission in strongly correlated materials. We discuss these results and their implications for the electronic structure determination of other strongly correlated systems, especially actinide materials.