Simulating heavy fermion physics in optical lattice： Periodic Anderson model with harmonic trapping potential

The periodic Anderson model （PAM）, where local electron orbitals interplay with itinerant electronic carriers, plays an essential role in our understanding of heavy fermion materials. Motivated by recent proposals for simulating the Kondo lattice model （KLM） in terms of alkaline-earth metal atoms, we take another step toward the simulation of PAM, which includes the crucial charge/valence fluctuation of local f-electrons beyond purely low-energy spin fluctuation in the KLM. To realize PAM, a transition induced by a suitable laser between the electronic excited and ground state of alkaline-earth metal atoms （^1S0←→^3P0） is introduced. This leads to effective hybridization between local electrons and conduction electrons in PAM. Generally, the SU（N） version of PAM can be realized by our proposal, which gives a unique opportunity to detect large-N physics without complexity in realistic materials. In the present work, high-temperature physical features of standard [SU（2）] PAM with harmonic trapping potential are analyzed by quantum Monte Carlo and dynamic mean-field theory, where the Mott/orbital-selective Mott state was found to coexist with metallic states. Indications for near-future experiments are provided. We expect our theoretical proposal and （hopefully） forthcoming experiments will deepen our understanding of heavy fermion systems. At the same time, we hope these will trigger further studies on related Mott physics, quantum criticality, and non-trivial topology in both the inhomogeneous and nonequilibrium realms.

CeAu_(2)In_(4):A candidate of quasi-one-dimensional antiferromagnetic Kondo lattice

Needle-like single crystals of CeAu_(2)In_(4)have been grown from In flux and characterized as a new candidate of quasi-one-dimensional Kondo lattice compound by crystallographic,magnetic,transport,and specific-heat measurements down to very low temperatures.We observe an antiferromagnetic transition at T_(N)≈0.9 K,a highly non-mean-field profile of the corresponding peak in specific heat,and a large Sommerfeld coefficientγ=369 mJ·mol^(-1)·K^(-2).The Kondo temperature T_(K)is estimated to be 1.1 K,being low and comparable to TN.While Fermi liquid behavior is observed deep into the magnetically ordered phase,the Kadowaki-Woods ratio is much reduced relative to the expected value for Ce compounds with Kramers doublet ground state.Markedly,this feature shares striking similarities to that of the prototypical quasi-one-dimensional compounds YbNi_(4)P_(2) and CeRh_(6)Ge_(4) with tunable ferromagnetic quantum critical point.Given the shortest Ce-Ce distance along the needle direction,CeAu_(2)In_(4)appears to be an interesting model system for exploring antiferromagnetic quantum critical behaviors in a quasi-one-dimensional Kondo lattice with enhanced quantum fluctuations.