Dimensional crossover of quantum critical behavior in CeCoIn5

Phys Rev Lett. 2008 Apr 4;100(13):136401. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.136401. Epub 2008 Mar 31.

Abstract

The nature of quantum criticality in CeCoIn5 is studied by low-temperature thermal expansion alpha(T). At the field-induced quantum critical point at H = 5 T a crossover scale T* approximately 0.3 K is observed, separating alpha(T)/T proportional, variant T(-1) from a weaker T(-1/2) divergence. We ascribe this change to a crossover in the dimensionality of the critical fluctuations which may be coupled to a change from unconventional to conventional quantum criticality. Disorder, whose effect on quantum criticality is studied in CeCoIn(5-x)Sn(x) (0 < or = x < or = 0.18), shifts T* towards higher temperatures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.