Is U3Ni3Sn4 best described as near a quantum critical point?

TL;DR

This study investigates U3Ni3Sn4, a potentially ordered non-Fermi liquid material, providing evidence that it is stoichiometric, well-ordered, and exhibits NFL behavior consistent with proximity to an antiferromagnetic quantum critical point.

Contribution

The paper presents structural and thermodynamic measurements showing U3Ni3Sn4 is ordered and near a quantum critical point, challenging disorder-based explanations for NFL behavior.

Findings

XAFS data shows no measurable local structural disorder.

Specific heat data indicates NFL behavior and a field-dependent crossover temperature.

Results support U3Ni3Sn4 as a stoichiometric, ordered NFL material near a quantum critical point.

Abstract

Although most known non-Fermi liquid (NFL) materials are structurally or chemically disordered, the role of this disorder remains unclear. In particular, very few systems have been discovered that may be stoichiometric and well ordered. To test whether U3Ni3Sn4 belongs in this latter class, we present measurements of the x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) of polycrystalline and single-crystal U3Ni3Sn4 samples that are consistent with no measurable local structural disorder. We also present temperature-dependent specific heat data in applied magnetic fields as high as 8 T that show features that are inconsistent with the antiferromagnetic Griffiths' phase model, but do support the conclusion that a Fermi liquid/NFL crossover temperature increases with applied field. These results are inconsistent with theoretical explanations that require strong disorder effects, but do support the view that U3Ni3Sn4 is a stoichiometric, ordered material that exhibits NFL behavior, and is best described as being near an antiferromagnetic quantum critical point.