Advanced search
Start date
Betweenand
Related content
(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Spatially inhomogeneous superconductivity in UTe2

Full text
Author(s):
Thomas, S. M. [1] ; Stevens, C. [2] ; Santos, F. B. [3] ; Fender, S. S. [1] ; Bauer, E. D. [1] ; Ronning, F. [1] ; Thompson, J. D. [1] ; Huxley, A. [2] ; Rosa, P. F. S. [1]
Total Authors: 9
Affiliation:
[1] Los Alamos Natl Lab, Los Alamos, NM 87545 - USA
[2] Univ Edinburgh, Sch Phys & Astron, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, Midlothian - Scotland
[3] Univ Sao Paulo EEL USP, Mat Engn Dept Demar, Escola Engn Lorena, BR-12602810 Lorena, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Physical Review B; v. 104, n. 22 DEC 1 2021.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

The newly discovered superconductor UTe2 is a strong contender for a topological spin-triplet state wherein a multicomponent order parameter arises from two nearly degenerate superconducting states. A key issue is whether both of these states intrinsically exist at ambient pressure. Through thermal expansion and calorimetry, we show that UTe2 at ambient conditions exhibits two detectable transitions only in some samples, and the size of the thermal expansion jump at each transition varies when the measurement is performed in different regions of the sample. This result indicates that the two transitions arise from two spatially separated regions that are inhomogeneously mixed throughout the volume of the sample, each with a discrete superconducting transition temperature (T-c). Notably, samples with higher T-c only show a single transition at ambient pressure. Above 0.3 GPa, however, two transitions are invariably observed in ac calorimetry. Our results not only point to a nearly vertical line (constant pressure) in the pressure-temperature phase diagram but also provide a consistent scenario for the sample dependence of UTe2. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 18/20546-1 - Single crystal growth of (Hf, Sc, RE)V2Ga4 (RE = rare earth) and (Fe, Co, Ru)1-xRMxGa3 (RM = refractory metals) compounds and the study of their Fermi surface, electronic structure, and superconducting properties under extreme conditions
Grantee:Frederico Benedetto Santos
Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
FAPESP's process: 16/11565-7 - Investigation of the superconductivity and magnetism in compounds that crystallize on the YbMo2Al4 and IrIn3 prototype
Grantee:Frederico Benedetto Santos
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)