Enhanced magnetic ordering in Sm metal under extreme pressure

Abstract

The dependence of the magnetic ordering temperature To of Sm metal was determined through four-point electrical resistivity measurements to pressures as high as 150 GPa. A strong increase in To with pressure is observed above 85 GPa. In this pressure range Sm ions alloyed in dilute concentration with superconducting Y exhibit giant Kondo pair breaking. Taken together, these results suggest that for pressures above 85 GPa Sm is in a highly correlated electron state, like a Kondo lattice, with an unusually high value of To. A detailed comparison is made with similar results obtained earlier on Nd, Tb and Dy and their dilute magnetic alloys with superconducting Y.