Investigation of phonon softening close to a structural quantum critical point in Lu(Pt0.6Pd0.4)2In
The substitution series Lu(Pt,Pd)2In is one of the rare examples showing a structural quantum critical point (QCP), i.e. a continuous structural phase transition at T=0. The Peierls transition from a cubic Heusler structure towards a cubic superstructure occurs at 490K in pure LuPt2In. By substituting Pd for Pt, the transition temperature is suppressed to zero at a Pd concentration of about 55%. Interestingly, a remarkable increase of superconductivity (Tc = 1K) is observed just in the vicinity to the QCP. Therefore, a strong connection between superconductivity and the occurring low-energy quantum fluctuations is expected. In powder samples of LuPt2In we already observed enhanced low-energy fluctuations at the structural phase transition. The availability of single crystals now enables important investigations of the phonon dispersion. In the proposed experiment, the phonon softening and the corresponding low-energy fluctuations shall be investigated for a single crystal of Lu(Pt0.6Pd0.4)2In (Ts = 140K). A successful experiment will be an ideal starting point for further investigations of the concentration series, especially on approaching the structural QCP.
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LUCAS Stefan; BOEHM Martin; GEIBEL Christoph; GRUNER Thomas; KOZA Michael Marek and STOCKERT Oliver. (2017). Investigation of phonon softening close to a structural quantum critical point in Lu(Pt0.6Pd0.4)2In. Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) doi:10.5291/ILL-DATA.7-02-165
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