On the origin of multiple ordered phases in PrFe4P12

TL;DR

This paper investigates the multiple electronic phases in PrFe4P12, proposing a model with antiferro-quadrupole interactions and small CEF level separation to explain high-field phases and associated anomalies.

Contribution

It introduces a model incorporating ferro-type interactions and small CEF level separation to explain the origin of multiple ordered phases in PrFe4P12.

Findings

High-field phase can have same or different ordering vector as low-field phase.

Predicted crystal distortion and elastic constant anomalies.

Resistivity shows sharp maximum near the (111) axis at low temperatures.

Abstract

The nature of multiple electronic orders in skutterudite PrFe_4P_{12} is discussed on the basis of a model with antiferro-quadrupole (AFQ) interaction of \Gamma_3 symmetry. The high-field phase can be reproduced qualitatively provided (i) ferro-type interactions are introduced between the dipoles as well as between the octupoles of localized f-electrons, and (ii) separation is vanishingly small between the \Gamma_1-\Gamma_4^{(1)} crystalline electric field (CEF) levels. The high-field phase can have either the same ordering vector q=(1,0,0) as in the low-field phase, or a different one q=0 depending on the parameters. In the latter case, distortion of the crystal perpendicular to the (111) axis is predicted. The corresponding anomaly in elastic constants should also appear. The electrical resistivity is calculated with account of scattering within the CEF quasi-quartet. It is found that the resistivity as a function of the direction of magnetic field shows a sharp maximum around the (111) axis at low temperatures because of the level crossing.