Triangular Kondo lattice in $\mathrm{YbV_6Sn_6}$ and its quantum critical behaviors in magnetic field

TL;DR

This study investigates the heavy fermion compound YbV6Sn6, revealing its complex magnetic and electronic behaviors, including quantum criticality induced by magnetic fields, due to its unique triangular Kondo lattice structure.

Contribution

It reports the discovery and detailed characterization of YbV6Sn6 as a triangular Kondo lattice exhibiting quantum critical behaviors under magnetic fields.

Findings

YbV6Sn6 shows heavy fermion behavior above 2 K.

Magnetic ordering occurs at 0.40 K in zero field.

External magnetic fields suppress magnetic order and induce non-Fermi liquid behavior.

Abstract

We report magnetization, heat capacity and electrical resistivity for a newly discovered heavy fermion (HF) compound $\mathrm{YbV_6Sn_6}$ which is crystallized in a hexagonal $\mathrm{HfFe_6Ge_6}$-type structure, highlighted by the stacking of triangular ytterbium sublattice and kagome vanadium sublattice. Above 2 K, $\mathrm{YbV_6Sn_6}$ shows typical HF properties due to the Kondo effect on the Kramers doublet of $\mathrm{Yb^{3+}}$ ions in crystal electric field. A remarkable magnetic ordering occurs at $T_{\mathrm{N}}$ = 0.40 K in zero field while a weak external field suppresses the ordering and induces non-Fermi liquid (NFL) behavior. In strong magnetic field the compound shows a heavy Fermi liquid state. $\mathrm{YbV_6Sn_6}$ presents as one of the few examples of Yb-based HF compounds hosting triangular Kondo lattice on which a magnetic field induces quantum criticality near zero temperature.