LaCu6−xAgx: A promising host of an elastic quantum critical point

L. Poudel, C. de la Cruz, M. R. Koehler, M. A. McGuire, V. Keppens, D. Mandrus, A. D. Christianson

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Abstract

Structural properties of LaCu6−xAgx have been investigated using neutron and x-ray diffraction, and resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) measurements. Diffraction measurements indicate a continuous structural transition from orthorhombic (Pnma) to monoclinic (P21/c) structure. RUS measurements show softening of natural frequencies at the structural transition, consistent with the elastic nature of the structural ground state. The structural transition temperatures in LaCu6−xAgx decrease with Ag composition until the monoclinic phase is completely suppressed at xc=0.225. All of the evidence is consistent with the presence of an elastic quantum critical point in LaCu6−xAgx.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)479-482
Number of pages4
JournalPhysica B: Physics of Condensed Matter
Volume536
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2018

Funding

We acknowledge D. Singh for useful discussions and M. Suchomel for assistance with the synchrotron x-ray measurements. The research at the High Flux Isotope Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is supported by the Scientific User Facilities Division, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). MAM and DM acknowledge support from the U.S. DOE, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences, Materials Sciences and Engineering Division. Use of the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, under Contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357 .

Keywords

  • Elastic quantum critical point
  • Quantum phase transition

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