Crystal field excitations of filled skutterudite PrRu4P 12 by Raman scattering

Abstract

Raman scattering spectra of single crystalline PrRu4P 12 have been measured in the temperature region between 4.6 K and 300 K. Additional peaks appear below metal-insulator transition temperature. Among these peaks, CEF excitations for two different Pr ion sites can be assigned from the results of magnetic field (H8T) dependence and polarization dependence. From the energy of CEF excitations in Raman spectra, we have re-determined CEF energy levels for Pr1 and Pr2 ions. From the result of CEF level schemes and the different atomic displacement of Ru around Pr1 and Pr2, Pr1 ion is affected by a strong positive point charge potential of Ru, and Pr2 ion feels strong p-f hybridization. © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd.