Kondo-Induced Giant Isotropic Negative Thermal Expansion

Negative thermal expansion is an unusual phenomenon appearing in only a handful of materials, but pursuit and mastery of the phenomenon holds great promise for applications across disciplines and industries. Here we report use of x-ray spectroscopy and diffraction to investigate the 4f-electronic pr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2020-03, Vol.124 (12), p.125701-125701, Article 125701
Main Authors: Mazzone, D G, Dzero, M, Abeykoon, Am M, Yamaoka, H, Ishii, H, Hiraoka, N, Rueff, J-P, Ablett, J M, Imura, K, Suzuki, H S, Hancock, J N, Jarrige, I
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Condensed Matter
CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
Electronic properties
Lattice design
Low temperature
MATERIALS SCIENCE
Physics
Strongly Correlated Electrons
Thermal expansion
Yttrium
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Summary:Negative thermal expansion is an unusual phenomenon appearing in only a handful of materials, but pursuit and mastery of the phenomenon holds great promise for applications across disciplines and industries. Here we report use of x-ray spectroscopy and diffraction to investigate the 4f-electronic properties in Y-doped SmS and employ the Kondo volume collapse model to interpret the results. Our measurements reveal an unparalleled decrease of the bulk Sm valence by over 20% at low temperatures in the mixed-valent golden phase, which we show is caused by a strong coupling between an emergent Kondo lattice state and a large isotropic volume change. The amplitude and temperature range of the negative thermal expansion appear strongly dependent on the Y concentration and the associated chemical disorder, providing control over the observed effect. This finding opens avenues for the design of Kondo lattice materials with tunable, giant, and isotropic negative thermal expansion.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/physrevlett.124.125701