Inhomogeneous Kondo-lattice in geometrically frustrated Pr₂Ir₂O₇.

ABSTRACT: Magnetic fluctuations induced by geometric frustration of local Ir-spins disturb the formation of long-range magnetic order in the family of pyrochlore iridates. As a consequence, Pr₂Ir₂O₇ lies at a tuning-free antiferromagnetic-to-paramagnetic quantum critical point and exhibits an array of complex phenomena including the Kondo effect, biquadratic band structure, and metallic spin liquid. Using spectroscopic imaging with the scanning tunneling microscope, complemented with machine learning, density functional theory and theoretical modeling, we probe the local electronic states in Pr₂Ir₂O₇ and find an electronic phase separation. Nanoscale regions with a well-defined Kondo resonance are interweaved with a non-magnetic metal

SUBMITTER: Kavai M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7925525 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature