Quantum critical point in UCo$_{1-x}$Fe$_{x}$Ge

ORAL

Abstract

We have carried out a comprehensive study of the UCo$_{1-x}$Fe$_{x}$Ge series across the entire range of compositions 0 $\le $ x $\le $ 1, and report the results of x-ray diffraction, magnetization, specific heat, and electrical resistivity measurements to uncover the magnetic and superconducting phase diagram. Substitution of Fe into UCoGe initially results in an increase in the Curie temperature and a rapid destruction of the superconducting state. Near x = 0.2, the ferromagnetic transition is suppressed to zero temperature at an apparent quantum critical point, and the temperature dependences of the electrical resistivity and specific heat suggest non-Fermi liquid behavior.

*DOE: DE-FG02-04ER46105, NSF: DMR-0802478

Authors

  • Noravee Kanchanavatee

    • Department of Physics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
  • Kevin Huang

    • Department of Physics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
  • James Hamlin

    • Department of Physics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
  • Ryan Baumbach

    • Department of Physics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
  • Diego Zocco

    • Department of Physics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
  • M. Brian Maple

    • Department of Physics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA