Direct observation of the quantum critical point in heavy fermion CeRhSi$_3$

Abstract

We report on muon spin rotation studies of the noncentrosymmetric heavy fermion antiferromagnet CeRhSi$_3$. A drastic and monotonic suppression of the internal fields, at the lowest measured temperature, was observed upon an increase of external pressure. Our data suggest that the ordered moments are gradually quenched with increasing pressure, in a manner different from the pressure dependence of the N\'eel temperature. At $\unit{23.6}{kbar}$, the ordered magnetic moments are fully suppressed via a second-order phase transition, and $T_{\rm{N}}$ is zero. Thus, we directly observed the quantum critical point at $\unit{23.6}{kbar}$ hidden inside the superconducting phase of CeRhSi$_3$.