Intermediate-valence behavior of YbCu5-xAlx around quantum critical point measured by resonant inelastic X-ray scattering at Yb L3 absorption edge

Kazuya Yamamoto, Hitoshi Yamaoka, Naohito Tsujii, Aurel Mihai Vlaicu, Hirofumi Oohashi, Shusuke Sakakura, Tatsuki Tochio, Yoshiaki Ito, Ashish Chainani, Shik Shin

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19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

An x-ray spectroscopy study was performed for YbCu5-xAl x (x = 0.0-2.0) using high-resolution partial-fluorescence yield (PFY) and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) at the Yb L3 absorption edge. From a careful analysis of the PFY and RIXS spectra, the mean-valence of Yb was estimated and is found to increase quite rapidly for compositions between 0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0, indicating strong intermediate-valence behavior. The mean valence continues to increase gradually with x and becomes nearly trivalent for x = 2.0. Our results, however, reveal that valence fluctuation occurs even at x = 1.5, for which non-Fermi liquid quantum critical behavior is known. The valence evolution cannot be explained solely in terms of chemical pressure effects. The study suggests the role of valence-coupled spin fluctuations for the quantum critical behavior.

Original languageEnglish
Article number124705
JournalJournal of the Physical Society of Japan
Volume76
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007 Dec

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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