Appearance of the crystal field levels with conduction electrons in Tm0.05LaxYb0.95−xTe

Abstract The local electronic states of Tm ions in Tm 0.05 La x Yb 0.95− x Te have been investigated for x =0.95, 0.75 and 0.55, where the number of conduction electrons and the crystalline electric field (CEF) states varies with x . The results of neutron scattering and specific heat show that the well-defined CEF levels at x =0.95 decays with decreasing x . At x =0.55 the CEF almost vanishes and a quasi-elastic scattering appears. The analysis of the specific heat for x =0.55 also indicates a continuous density of states of the ground state.