^31P NMR investigations on the ferromagnetic quantum critical system YbNi_4P_2

Abstract

We studied the new heavy-fermion system YbNi$_{4}$P$_{2}$, which presents strong ferromagnetic correlations, using the local $^{31}$P NMR probe over a wide field (0.2-8.6 \textsf{T}) and temperature (1.8-200 K) range. $^{31}$P NMR Knight shift provides the static spin susceptibility which tracks the bulk susceptibility whereas the spin-lattice relaxation rate $^{31}(1/T_{1}$) provide information about the fluctuations of the Yb 4f moment. The Korringa law is valid over a wide range in temperature and field. The Korringa product $^{31}(1/T_{1}TK^{2}$S$_{0}$) $\ll$ 1 gives evidence for the presence of strong ferromagnetic correlations. Over two decades in temperature a $^{31}(1/T_{1}T) \sim T^{-3/4}$ behaviour was found.

5 pages, 4 figures