Thermal transport properties, magnetic susceptibility and neutron diffraction studies of the (Cr100-xAlx)95Mo5 alloy system
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Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
Previous electrical resistivity ðρÞ and specific heat ðCP Þ studies on the ternary (Cr100-xAlx)95Mo5 alloy system
suggested that it harbours two quantum critical points (QCPs). This study reports comprehensive investigations of
this alloy system through Seebeck coefficient ðSÞ, thermal conductivity ðκÞ, magnetic susceptibility ðχ Þ and
neutron diffraction ðNDÞ measurements in the concentration range 0 x 8.6. The results of S and χ show that
spin-density-wave (SDW) antiferromagnetism is suppressed to temperatures below 2 K for concentrations in the
range 1.4 x 4.4. Plots of dS=dT in the limit as T→ 2 K depict two minima, i.e. just above x 1⁄4 1.4 and 4.4. This
parameter has been used as a key indicator of quantum critical behaviour (QCB) in Cr alloys. Analyses against the
Nordheim-Gorter relationship demonstrates a positive slope for the incommensurate (I) SDW alloys and a
negative slope for the commensurate (C) SDW alloys. Extrapolations of these two slopes intercept at a concen-
tration of 3.2 at.% Al indicating the occurrence of band structure modifications when Al is added into the Cr95Mo5
base alloy. The Lorenz number ðLÞ for the alloys with x 1⁄4 0 and 0.5 shows interesting anomalous behaviour
associated with band structure effects and SDW magnetic ordering. ND measurements as a function of temper-
ature confirm that alloys with x < 1.4 order in the incommensurate (I) SDW phase whilst alloys with x > 4.4 show
commensurate (C) SDW order. Power law fits of the form TN ∝ð1:40 À xÞ0:35 Æ 0:05 for the ISDW to P phase
transition and TN ∝ðx À 4:40Þ0:63 Æ 0:03 for the P to CSDW phase transition rendered the critical exponents 0:35 Æ
0:05 and 0:63 Æ 0:03 respectively. Overall the results of S, κ, χ and ND corroborate the existence of two QCPs at
x % 1.4 and 4.4.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Chromium alloys, Spin density wave, Quantum criticality, Resistivity, Susceptibility, Neutron diffraction
Citation
Muchono, B. et al. 2018. Thermal transport properties, magnetic susceptibility and neutron diffraction studies of the (Cr100-xAlx)95Mo5 alloy system.