Kondo Physics in a Rare Earth Ion with Well Localized 4f Electrons

Abstract

Dilute Nd in simple cubic LaB$_6$ shows electrical resistance and specific heat features at low temperature consistent with a Kondo scale of $T_K \lesssim$ 0.3 K. Nd has a well localized {\it 4f}$^{3}$ {\it J} = 9/2 Hund's Rule configuration which is not anticipated to be Kondo coupled to the conduction electrons in LaB$_6$. We conjecture that the unexpected Kondo effect arises via participation of {\it 4f} quadrupolar degrees of freedom of the Nd crystal field ground state quartet.

5 pages, 4 figures