Unusual non-Fermi liquid behavior in CeNi9Ge4

• Published in: Physica. B, Condensed matter Vol. 378-80; pp. 640 - 643
• Main Authors: MICHOR, H, ADROJA, D. T, MANUEL, P, REISSNER, M, ROGL, P, ROTTER, M, SCHEIDT, E.-W, BAUER, E, BEWLEY, R, DOBOZANOV, D, HILLIER, A. D, HILSCHER, G, KILLER, U, KOZA, M, MANALO, S
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier 01.05.2006
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Diamagnetism, paramagnetism and superparamagnetism; Exact sciences and technology; Magnetic properties and materials; Magnetic resonances and relaxations in condensed matter, mössbauer effect; Muon spin rotation and relaxation; Nonmetals; Physics; Muon spin relaxation; 71.27.+a; Magnetic specific heat; Crystal field splitting; Ground states; Inelastic neutron scattering; t-J model; 75.20.Hr; Spin depolarization; Neutron diffusion; Non Fermi liquid; Inelastic scattering; Electronic specific heat; Paramagnetic materials; 78.70.Nx Non-Fermi liquid
• ISSN: 0921-4526; 1873-2135
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physb.2006.01.345

We report on unusual non-Fermi liquid features of the ternary compound CeNi9Ge4 which exhibits the largest ever recorded value of the electronic specific heat at in a purely paramagnetic system. The latter is confirmed by muSR measurements down to 30mK revealing a rather slow simple exponential muon spin depolarisation in zero-field and thus a spatially homogeneous paramagnetic state. The ground state properties and crystal field (CF) splitting of CeNi9Ge4 have been studied by specific heat, magnetic susceptibility as well as muon spin relaxation (muSR) and inelastic neutron spectroscopy (INS).