Observation of a critical charge mode in a strange metal

Understanding the strange metallic behavior that develops at the brink of localization in quantum materials requires probing the underlying electronic charge dynamics. Using synchrotron radiation–based Mössbauer spectroscopy, we studied the charge fluctuations of the strange metal phase of β-YbAlB4 as a function of temperature and pressure. We found that the usual single absorption peak in the Fermi-liquid regime splits into two peaks upon entering the critical regime. We interpret this spectrum as a single nuclear transition, modulated by nearby electronic valence fluctuations whose long time scales are further enhanced by the formation of charged polarons. These critical charge fluctuations may prove to be a distinct signature of strange metals. Description Sluggish valence fluctuations The strange metal phase, which can form in some strongly correlated materials, is characterized by the breakdown of the usual charge transport laws. Understanding charge dynamics in this exotic phase is, however, hampered by the lack of suitable probes. Kobayashi et al. used synchrotron radiation–based Mossbauer spectroscopy to study these dynamics in the strange metal phase of the heavy fermion metal beta-YbAlB4. The researchers observed a splitting of the Mössbauer absorption peak, which they attributed to unusually slow fluctuations of the ytterbium ion valence in this material. —JS Synchrotron radiation-based Mossbauer spectroscopy was used to study valence fluctuations in beta-YbAlB4.