Theory of Quasi-Universal Ratio of Seebeck Coefficient to Specific Heat in Zero-Temperature Limit in Correlated Metals

Abstract

It is shown that the quasi-universal ratio $q=\lim_{T\to0}eS/C\sim\pm1$ of the Seebeck coefficient to the specific heat in the limit of T=0 observed in a series of strongly correlated metals can be understood on the basis of the Fermi liquid theory description. In deriving this result, it is crucial that a relevant scattering arises from impurities, but not from the mutual scattering of quasiparticles. The systematics of the sign of $q$ is shown to reflect the sign of the logarithmic derivative of the density of states and the inverse mass tensor of the quasiparticles, explaining the systematics of experiments. In particular, the positive sign of $q$ for Ce-based and $f^{3}$-based heavy fermions, and the negative sign for Yb-based and $f^{2}$-based heavy fermions, are explained. The case of non-Fermi liquid near the quantum critical point (QCP) is briefly mentioned, showing that the ratio $q$ decreases considerably toward antiferromagnetic QCP while it remains essentially unchanged for the ferromagnetic QCP or QCP due to a local criticality.