Divalent EuRh2Si2 as a reference for the Luttinger theorem and antiferromagnetism in trivalent heavy-fermion YbRh2Si2

Abstract

Application of the Luttinger theorem to the Kondo lattice YbRh₂Si₂ suggests that its large 4f-derived Fermi surface (FS) in the paramagnetic (PM) regime should be similar in shape and volume to that of the divalent local-moment antiferromagnet (AFM) EuRh₂Si₂ in its PM regime. Here we show by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy that paramagnetic EuRh₂Si₂ has a large FS essentially similar to the one seen in YbRh₂Si₂ down to 1 K. In EuRh₂Si₂ the onset of AFM order below 24.5 K induces an extensive fragmentation of the FS due to Brillouin zone folding, intersection and resulting hybridization of the Fermi-surface sheets. Our results on EuRh₂Si₂ indicate that the formation of the AFM state in YbRh₂Si₂ is very likely also connected with similar changes in the FS, which have to be taken into account in the controversial analysis and discussion of anomalies observed at the quantum critical point in this system.

Heavy-fermion materials have unusual electronic behavior due to a dual localized-itinerant character of 4f electrons. Here, by studying divalent EuRh₂Si₂, the authors gain insight into the electronic states of the trivalent heavy fermion system YbRh₂Si₂ and show that it experimentally demonstrates Luttinger’s theorem.