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Screened moments and extrinsic in-gap states in samarium hexaboride

Author

Listed:
  • W. T. Fuhrman

    (The Johns Hopkins University)

  • J. R. Chamorro

    (The Johns Hopkins University
    The Johns Hopkins University)

  • P. A. Alekseev

    (National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”
    National Research Nuclear University “MEPhI”)

  • J.-M. Mignot

    (CEA-CNRS)

  • T. Keller

    (Max Planck-Institut für Festkörperforschung
    Max Planck Society at the Forschungsneutronenquelle Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (MLZ))

  • J. A. Rodriguez-Rivera

    (University of Maryland
    National Institute of Standards and Technology)

  • Y. Qiu

    (National Institute of Standards and Technology)

  • P. Nikolić

    (The Johns Hopkins University
    George Mason University)

  • T. M. McQueen

    (The Johns Hopkins University
    The Johns Hopkins University
    The Johns Hopkins University)

  • C. L. Broholm

    (The Johns Hopkins University
    The Johns Hopkins University)

Abstract

Samarium hexaboride (SmB6) is a Kondo insulator, with a narrow gap due to hybridization between localized and conduction electrons. Despite being an insulator, many samples show metal-like properties. Rare-earth purification is exceedingly difficult, and nominally pure samples may contain 2% or more of impurities. Here to determine the effects of rare-earth doping on SmB6, we synthesized and probed a series of gadolinium-doped samples. We found a relationship between specific heat and impurity moment screening which scales systematically. Consistent with this finding, our neutron scattering experiments of a high purity sample of doubly isotopic 154Sm11B6 show no intrinsic excitations below the well-established 13 meV spin-exciton. The result of introducing impurities into a Kondo insulator is incompletely understood, but it is clear from our measurements that there is a systematic relationship between rare-earth impurities and metal-like properties in SmB6.

Suggested Citation

  • W. T. Fuhrman & J. R. Chamorro & P. A. Alekseev & J.-M. Mignot & T. Keller & J. A. Rodriguez-Rivera & Y. Qiu & P. Nikolić & T. M. McQueen & C. L. Broholm, 2018. "Screened moments and extrinsic in-gap states in samarium hexaboride," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-04007-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04007-z
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