Dependence of transport coefficients of Yb(Rh$_{1-x}$Co$_x$)$_2$Si$_2$ intermetallics on temperature and cobalt concentration

TL;DR

This study models how transport properties in Yb(Rh$_{1-x}$Co$_x$)$_2$Si$_2$ alloys depend on temperature and cobalt content, revealing the interplay of Kondo and crystal field effects through an asymmetric Anderson model.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical framework using an asymmetric Anderson model to explain transport coefficient variations with cobalt doping and temperature in Yb-based intermetallics.

Findings

Model captures qualitative experimental features

Dependence of thermopower on Kondo and CEF effects

Evolution of $S(T)$ shape with cobalt concentration

Abstract

Dependence of transport coefficients of the Yb(Rh$_{1-x}$Co$_x$)$_2$Si$_2$ series of alloys on temperature and cobalt concentration is explained by an asymmetric Anderson model which takes into account the exchange scattering of conduction electrons on ytterbium ions and the splitting of 4$f$-states by the crystalline electric field (CEF). The substitution of rhodium by cobalt is described as an increase of chemical pressure which reduces the exchange coupling and the CEF splitting. The scaling analysis and numerical NCA solution of the model show that the effective degeneracy of the 4$f$-state at a given temperature depends on the relative magnitude of the Kondo scale and the CEF splitting. Thus, we find that dependence of the thermopower, $S(T)$, on temperature and cobalt concentration can be understood as an interplay of quantum fluctuations, driven by the Kondo effect, and thermal fluctuations, which favor a uniform occupation of the CEF states. The theoretical model captures all the qualitative features of the experimental data and it explains the evolution of the shape of $S(T)$ with the increase of cobalt concentration.