Search for electronic phase separation at quantum phase transitions

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • C. Pfleiderer - , Technical University of Munich (Author)
  • P. Böni - , Technical University of Munich (Author)
  • C. Franz - , Technical University of Munich (Author)
  • T. Keller - , Technical University of Munich, Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research (Author)
  • A. Neubauer - , Technical University of Munich (Author)
  • P. G. Niklowitz - , Technical University of Munich, Royal Holloway University of London (Author)
  • P. Schmakat - , Technical University of Munich (Author)
  • M. Schulz - , Technical University of Munich (Author)
  • Y. K. Huang - , University of Amsterdam (Author)
  • J. A. Mydosh - , Leiden University (Author)
  • M. Vojta - , University of Cologne (Author)
  • W. Duncan - , Royal Holloway University of London (Author)
  • F. M. Grosche - , Royal Holloway University of London, University of Cambridge (Author)
  • M. Brando - , Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids (Author)
  • M. Deppe - , Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids (Author)
  • C. Geibel - , Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids (Author)
  • F. Steglich - , Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids (Author)
  • A. Krimmel - , Augsburg University (Author)
  • A. Loidl - , Augsburg University (Author)

Abstract

Phase separation and extreme sensitivity to disorder and defects are key features of electronic order near quantum phase transitions. Neutron depolarization imaging and neutron Larmor diffraction are new experimental techniques capable of providing detailed real-space and reciprocal-space information, respectively, on the existence and nature of phase separations. Proof-of-principle depolarization imaging in Pd 1-x Ni x, CePd 1-x Rh x and NbFe 2 suggests distinct differences of the real-space distribution of ferromagnetic moments and Curie temperatures in materials at ferromagnetic quantum phase transitions. This compares with neutron Larmor diffraction which provides high-resolution reciprocal-space information of phase separation and the absence of quantum criticality in the itinerant helimagnet MnSi or the parasitic nature of small moment antiferromagnetism in URu 2Si 2.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)167-181
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of low temperature physics
Volume161
Issue number1-2
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2010
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

Keywords

  • Ferromagnetism, Heavy-fermion behavior, Neutron imaging, Neutron scattering, Polarized neutrons, Quantum phase transitions