Heavy-Fermion Superconductivity in CeAg$_2$Si$_2$ --Interplay of Spin and Valence Fluctuations--

TL;DR

This study maps the pressure-temperature phase diagram of CeAg$_2$Si$_2$, revealing the emergence of heavy fermion superconductivity near a valence crossover and critical endpoint, highlighting the interplay of spin and valence fluctuations.

Contribution

First observation of heavy fermion superconductivity in CeAg$_2$Si$_2$ and identification of a valence crossover linked to superconductivity under high pressure.

Findings

Superconductivity appears around 11 GPa with a maximum $T_c$ of 1.25 K.

The Néel temperature vanishes abruptly at approximately 13 GPa.

A valence crossover line is identified near a critical endpoint at 17 GPa and -13 K.

Abstract

We present the pressure-temperature phase diagram of the antiferromagnet CeAg$_2$Si$_2$ established via resistivity and calorimetry measurements under quasi-hydrostatic conditions up to 22.5~GPa. With increasing pressure, the N\'eel temperature [$T_{\mathrm{N}}(p=0)=8.6$~K] slowly increases up to $T_{\mathrm{N}}=13.4$~K at 9.4~GPa and then vanishes abruptly at the magnetic critical pressure $p_{\mathrm{c}}\sim13$~GPa. For the first time, heavy fermion superconductivity is observed in CeAg$_2$Si$_2$ . Superconductivity emerges at $\sim 11$~GPa and persists over roughly 10~GPa. Partial- and bulk-transition temperatures are highest at $p=16$~GPa, with a maximal $T_{\mathrm{c}^{\rm bulk}}=1.25$~K. In the pressure region of superconductivity, Kondo and crystal-field splitting energies become comparable and resistivity exhibits clear signatures of a Ce-ion valence crossover. The crossover line is located at a rapid collapse in resistivity as function of pressure and extrapolates to a valence transition critical endpoint at critical pressure and temperature of $p_{\rm cr}\sim 17$~GPa and $T_{\rm cr}\sim-13~K$, respectively. Both critical spin and valence fluctuations may build up superconductivity in CeAg$_2$Si$_2$.