Quantum phase transition in the heavy-fermion compound YbIr$_2$Si$_2$

Abstract

We investigate the pressure-temperature phase diagram of YbIr$_2$Si$_2$ by measuring the electrical resistivity $ρ(T)$. In contrast to the widely investigated YbRh$_2$Si$_2$, YbIr$_2$Si$_2$ is a paramagnetic metal below $p_c\simeq 8$ GPa. Interestingly, a first-order, presumably ferromagnetic, transition develops at $p_c$. Similar magnetic properties were also observed in YbRh$_2$Si$_2$ and YbCu$_2$Si$_2$ at sufficiently high pressures, suggesting a uniform picture for these Yb compounds. The ground state of YbIr$_2$Si$_2$ under pressure can be described by Landau Fermi-liquid (LFL) theory, in agreement with the nearly ferromagnetic Fermi-liquid (NFFL) model. Moreover, evidence of a weak valence transition, characterized by a jump of the Kadowaki-Woods (KW) ratio as well as an enhancement of the residual resistivity $ρ_0$ and of the quasiparticle-quasiparticle scattering cross section, is observed around 6 GPa.

4 pages, 5 figures