Suppression of f-Electron Itinerancy in CeRu2Si2 by a Strong Magnetic Field

Abstract

The valence state of Ce in a canonical heavy fermion compound CeRu2Si2 has been investigated by synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy at 1.8 K in high magnetic fields of up to 40 T. The valence was slightly larger than for the pure trivalent state (Ce3+: f1), as expected in heavy fermion compounds, and it decreased toward the trivalent state as the magnetic field was increased. The field-induced valence reduction indicates that the itinerant character of the 4f electrons in CeRu2Si2 was suppressed by a strong magnetic field. The suppression was gradual and showed characteristic magnetic field dependence, which reflects the metamagnetism around Hm \sim 8 T. The itinerant character persisted, even at 40 T (\sim 5Hm), suggesting that the Kondo bound state is continuously broken by magnetic fields and that it should completely collapse at fields exceeding 200 T.

5 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication as a Rapid Communication in Physical Review B