Zeeman-driven lifshitz transition: A model for the experimentally observed fermi-surface reconstruction in YbRh2Si2
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Contributors
Abstract
The heavy-fermion metal YbRh2Si2 displays a field-driven quantum phase transition where signatures of a Fermi-surface reconstruction have been identified, often interpreted as a breakdown of the Kondo effect. We argue that instead many properties of the material can be consistently described by assuming a Zeeman-driven Lifshitz transition of narrow heavy-fermion bands. Using a suitable quasiparticle model, we find a smeared jump in the Hall constant and lines of maxima in susceptibility and specific heat, very similar to experimental data. An intermediate non-Fermi-liquid regime emerges due to the small effective Fermi energy near the transition. Further experiments to discriminate the different scenarios are proposed.
Details
Original language | English |
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Article number | 137002 |
Journal | Physical review letters |
Volume | 106 |
Issue number | 13 |
Publication status | Published - 29 Mar 2011 |
Peer-reviewed | Yes |