Nature of non-magnetic strongly-correlated state in delta-plutonium

TL;DR

This study uses advanced theoretical methods to clarify the electronic and magnetic properties of delta-plutonium, resolving discrepancies between previous theories and experimental observations.

Contribution

It applies ab-initio relativistic dynamical mean-field theory to accurately model delta-Pu, showing no magnetic moments and reproducing key spectral features.

Findings

No static or dynamical magnetic moments predicted

Quasiparticle density of states matches experimental photoelectron spectra

Explains large electronic specific heat coefficient

Abstract

Ab-initio relativistic dynamical mean-field theory is applied to resolve the long-standing controversy between theory and experiment in the "simple" face-centered cubic phase of plutonium called delta-Pu. In agreement with experiment, neither static nor dynamical magnetic moments are predicted. In addition, the quasiparticle density of states reproduces not only the peak close to the Fermi level, which explains the large coefficient of electronic specific heat, but also main 5f features observed in photoelectron spectroscopy.