Quantum phases in f-Electron Systems

TL;DR

This paper reviews quantum phases in Ce-based f-electron systems, highlighting their unique phenomena like Kondo effects and non-Fermi liquids, with a focus on structural and physical properties of specific compounds.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive summary of experimental and theoretical insights into quantum phases in CeNiGe2, CeGe, and CeAlGe, emphasizing their structural and physical characteristics.

Findings

Identification of quantum phases in Ce compounds

Observation of unconventional phenomena like Kondo effect

Analysis of structural influences on quantum states

Abstract

Quantum fluctuations and related phase transitions are of current interest from the viewpoint of fundamental physics and technological applications. Quantum phase implies a region where the quantum fluctuations of energy scale $\hbar\omega$ dominates over the thermal energy $k_B$T. Presence of quantum phase leads to unconventional and unexpected physical phenomena like Kondo effect, non-Fermi liquids, ordered magnetic state, and Fermi liquids, etc. In this framework, Ce-based metallic compounds, exhibiting correlated electron phenomena, emerged as prototypical systems to study the various quantum phases. In these systems considerable efforts have been made, both experimentally and theoretically, to overcome the problems related to the comprehensive understanding of correlated quantum phases. In this article, various aspects related to quantum phases in CeNiGe2, CeGe and CeAlGe are summarized, mainly focusing on the structural and physical properties.