Search for quantum-tricritical-point in antiferromagnet CeRu$_2$(Si$_{1-x}$Ge$_x$)$_2$

TL;DR

This study investigates the pressure-induced evolution of magnetic phase transitions in CeRu$_2$Si$_2$-based compounds, revealing a quantum tricritical point where a first-order transition line becomes a quantum critical line, indicating quantum fluctuations.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence for a quantum tricritical point in an antiferromagnetic heavy fermion system under pressure, expanding understanding of quantum phase transitions.

Findings

Identification of a quantum tricritical point in CeRu$_2$(Si$_{1-x}$Ge$_x$)$_2$

Observation of a change from first-order to quantum critical line under pressure

Detection of ferromagnetic quantum fluctuations near the quantum tricritical point

Abstract

CeRu$_2$Si$_2$ is a well-known heavy fermion paramagnet, and substituting Ge for Si induces antiferromagnetism. This antiferromagnetism is Ising-like and has a tricritical point in the magnetic field ($H$) -temperature ($T$) phase diagram. Since the temperature of the tricritical point is expected to decrease with increasing pressure ($P$), we investigated the pressure dependence of the magnetic phase transitions. We determined the $H$-$P$ phase diagram and revealed that a first-order phase-transition line changes to a quantum critical line, which implies the existence of the quantum tricritical point. A ferromagnetic quantum fluctuation arises in the vicinity of the possible quantum tricritical point.