Local investigation of the crystal electric field ground-state in CeCu(Sb,Bi)$_2$ heavy fermions

Abstract

In this work, we performed systematic Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and magnetic susceptibility experiments in CeCuSb$_2$ single-crystals. The main findings were compared to previous report for CeCuBi$_2$. The NMR spectra and transferred hyperfine coupling for the $^{63}$Cu nuclei were obtained aiming to observe their correlation with the crystal electric field (CEF) effects on the Ce$^{3+}$ ($J=5/2$) multiplet. Besides, in an attempt to elucidate the magnetic structure through NMR measurements at different magnetic fields orientations, we observed a magnetic transition at $T\approx 8\,$K higher than the Néel temperature $T_N$ measured by magnetic susceptibility indicating the development of short-range magnetic ordering above T$_N$. In addition, the wipe out of the main NMR resonance line and a persistent spin-echo signal throughout the whole frequency-swept range suggest the possibility of an incommensurate magnetic structure in CeCuSb$_2$. Furthermore, the small transferred hyperfine coupling constant found for CeCuSb$_2$ indicates a scenario with more localized Ce$^{3+}$ 4f electrons than for CeMIn$_5$ (M $=$ Co,Rh,Ir) heavy fermions family. Additionally, subtle changes in the hybridization between the $^{63}$Cu with the 4f$^1$ Ce$^{3+}$ electrons in distinct magnetic field orientations allowed us to provide detailed information and map out the 4f CEF orbital ground-state of CeCu(Sb,Bi)$_2$ via NMR measurements.