Abstract
The nature of multiple electronic orders in skutterudite PrFe 4P12 is discussed on the basis of a model with antiferro-quadrupole (AFQ) interaction of Γ3 symmetry. The high-field phase can be reproduced qualitatively provided (i) ferro-type interactions are introduced between the dipoles as well as between the octupoles of localized f -electrons, and (ii) separation is vanishingly small between the Γ1-Γ4(1) crystalline electric field (CEF) levels. The high-field phase can have either the same ordering vector q = (1, 0, 0) as in the low-field phase, or a different one q = 0 depending on the parameters. In the latter case, distortion of the crystal perpendicular to the (111) axis is predicted. The corresponding anomaly in elastic constants should also appear. The electrical resistivity is calculated with account of scattering within the CEF quasi-quartet. It is found that the resistivity as a function of the direction of magnetic field shows a sharp maximum around the (111) axis at low temperatures because of the level crossing.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2530-2537 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | journal of the physical society of japan |
Volume | 74 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2005 Sep |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Crystalline electric field
- Octupole
- PrFe P
- Quadrupole order
- Skutterudite
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physics and Astronomy(all)