Origin of the maximum in the temperature-dependent electrical resistivity of quasicrystals

We discuss the origin of the maximum in the electrical resistivity ρ( T ) of quasicrystals (QCs) and show that it can be consistently explained as a magnetic effect due to the presence of localized magnetic scattering centres within the quasiperiodic lattice. On the experimental side we present a comparative electrical resistivity–magnetic susceptibility study of icosahedral AlPdMn and CdCa QCs and show correlation between the temperature of the ρ( T ) maximum and the electronic paramagnetic magnetization of localized magnetic centres. We propose a theoretical explanation in terms of the Korringa–Gerritsen (KG) model, originally developed for noble metals with diluted transition metal impurities. Unlike the other existing models of electrical conduction in QCs, the KG model describes the ρ( T ) maximum as a magnetic effect and predicts its shift to higher temperatures for an increased concentration of magnetic moments.