Optical and transport properties of heavy fermions: theory compared to experiment

Employing a local moment approach to the periodic Anderson model within the framework of dynamical mean-field theory, direct comparison is made between theory and experiment for the dc transport and optical conductivities of paramagnetic heavy fermion and intermediate valence metals. Four materials, exhibiting a diverse range of behaviour in their transport/optics, are analysed in detail: CeB6, YbAl3, CeAl3 and CeCoIn5. Good agreement between theory and experiment is in general found, even quantitatively, and a mutually consistent picture of transport and optics results.