Field-induced suppression of the heavy-fermion state in YbRh_2Si_2

TL;DR

This study investigates how magnetic fields and pressure influence the heavy-fermion state in YbRh_2Si_2, revealing a unique field-induced transition from itinerant to localized 4f-electron states that differs from typical heavy fermion behavior.

Contribution

It demonstrates a novel field-induced transition in YbRh_2Si_2 and links it to spin fluctuation temperature, expanding understanding of heavy-fermion state suppression.

Findings

Identification of a kink at 9.9T indicating a transition

Transition differs from typical metamagnetic behavior

Pressure correlates B* with spin fluctuation temperature

Abstract

We report DC magnetization measurements on YbRh_2Si_2 at temperatures down to 0.04K, magnetic fields B<11.5T and under hydrostatic pressure P<1.3GPa. At ambient pressure a kink at B*=9.9T indicates a new type of field-induced transition from an itinerant to a localized 4f-state. This transition is different from the metamagnetic transition observed in other heavy fermion compounds, as here ferromagnetic rather than antiferromagnetic correlations dominate below B*. Hydrostatic pressure experiments reveal a clear correspondence of B* to the characteristic spin fluctuation temperature determined from specific heat.