Kondo-like magnetic scattering in electrical transport of Al_70−xB_xPd₂₀Mn₁₀ (x = 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4) quasicrystals

Abstract

The electrical conductivity and magnetization behaviour of single-phase Al_70−xB_xPd₂₀Mn₁₀ (x = 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4) quasicrystals have been measured. We observe that boron substitution for aluminium causes large changes in the σ vs. T behaviours. σ vs. (ln T)⁻¹ plots shows linear behaviour. Scaling was achieved by plotting {(σ(T) − σ_min)/(σ₄ − σ_min)} vs. [ln(T/T_min)]⁻¹. These samples show large positive magnetoresistance with H² behaviour. In the Al–B–Pd–Mn and Al–Pd–Mn quasicrystals, the observed σ(T) behaviour has been explained using the weak localization theory, including Kondo-type spin-flip scattering and not due to spin-orbit scattering.