Stabilization of the collective Kondo semiconducting state by Sb doping in CeNiSn$_{1-x}$Sb$_{x}$ and the criterion of its appearance

Abstract

Semimetallic CeNiSn is shown to transform into a Kondo semiconductor upon the substitution of few percent of Sb for Sn. The full-gap formation is not decisively influenced by the atomic disorder introduced by the substitution. Instead, the extra valence electrons introduced with the Sb doping (one per Sb atom) contribute to the formation of the collective Kondo spin-singlet state at low temperatures, as seen by a reduction of magnetic susceptibility. The definition of the Kondo semiconductor is provided and the difference with either the band-Kondo or the Mott-Hubbard insulators is stressed.