Dynamics of the Singlet-Triplet System Coupled with Conduction Spins -- Application to Pr Skutterudites

Abstract

Dynamics of the singlet-triplet crystalline electric field (CEF) system at finite temperatures is discussed by use of the non-crossing approximation. Even though the Kondo temperature is smaller than excitation energy to the CEF triplet, the Kondo effect appears at temperatures higher than the CEF splitting, and accordingly only quasi-elastic peak is found in the magnetic spectra. On the other hand, at lower temperatures the CEF splitting suppresses the Kondo effect and inelastic peak develops. The broad quasi-elastic neutron scattering spectra observed in PrFe_4P_{12} at temperatures higher than the quadrupole order correspond to the parameter range where the CEF splittings are unimportant.