Universal scaling and quantum critical behavior of CeRhSb(1-x)Sn(x)

TL;DR

This paper investigates the universal scaling laws and quantum critical behavior in CeRhSb(1-x)Sn(x), revealing a non-Fermi liquid state near a quantum critical point characterized by specific resistivity and susceptibility behaviors.

Contribution

It introduces a universal resistivity-susceptibility scaling and identifies a quantum critical point at the Kondo insulator-metal boundary in CeRhSb(1-x)Sn(x).

Findings

Universal resistivity-susceptibility scaling law rho*chi=const.

Identification of a quantum critical point at x~0.12.

Observation of non-Fermi liquid behavior near the QCP.

Abstract

We propose a universal scaling rho*chi=const of the electrical resistivity rho with the inverse magnetic susceptibility chi^(-1) below the temperature of the quantum-coherence onset for the Ce 4f states in CeRhSb(1-x)Sn(x). In the regime, where the Kondo gap disappears (x~0.12), the system forms a non-Fermi liquid (NFL), which transforms into a Fermi liquid at higher temperature. The NFL behavior is attributed to the presence of a novel quantum critical point (QCP) at the Kondo insulator - correlated metal boundary. The divergent behavior of the resistivity, the susceptibility, and the specific heat has been determined when approaching QCP from the metallic side.