Unified character of correlation effects in unconventional Pu-based superconductors and δ-Pu

Abstract

Electronic structure calculations combining the local-density approximation with an exact diagonalization of the Anderson impurity model show an intermediate 5f^5-5f^6-valence ground state and delocalization of the 5f^5 multiplet of the Pu atom 5f-shell in PuCoIn_5, PuCoGa_5, and δ-Pu. The 5f-local magnetic moment is compensated by a moment formed in the surrounding cloud of conduction electrons. For PuCoGa_5 and δ-Pu the compensation is complete and the Anderson impurity ground state is a singlet. For PuCoIn_5 the compensation is partial and the Pu ground state is magnetic. We suggest that the unconventional d-wave superconductivity is likely mediated by the 5f-states antiferromagnetic fluctuations in PuCoIn_5, and by valence fluctuations in PuCoGa_5.

5 pages, 3 figures