Optical and transport properties of heavy fermions: theory compared to experiment

TL;DR

This paper uses a local moment approach within dynamical mean-field theory to compare theoretical predictions with experimental data on the optical and transport properties of heavy fermion and intermediate valence metals, analyzing four materials.

Contribution

It provides a detailed, quantitative comparison between theory and experiment for multiple heavy fermion materials using a unified theoretical framework.

Findings

Good agreement between theory and experiment in transport and optics.

Consistent theoretical description across different materials.

Insights into the behavior of heavy fermion and intermediate valence metals.

Abstract

Employing a local moment approach to the periodic Anderson model within the framework of dynamical mean-field theory, direct comparison is made between theory and experiment for the dc transport and optical conductivities of paramagnetic heavy fermion and intermediate valence metals. Four materials, exhibiting a diverse range of behaviour in their transport/optics, are analysed in detail: CeB6, YbAl3, CeAl3 and CeCoIn5. Good agreement between theory and experiment is in general found, even quantitatively, and a mutually consistent picture of transport and optics results.