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Reentrant hidden order at a metamagnetic quantum critical end point
N Harrison1, M Jaime, J A Mydosh
1National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, LANL, MS-E536, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|April 12, 2003
Summary
Magnetization measurements of URu2Si2 show the hidden order phase is destroyed and reappears as a reentrant phase near a quantum critical point. This suggests itinerant electron metamagnetism influences the material
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Materials science
Background:
- URu2Si2 exhibits a unique 'hidden order' phase at low temperatures.
- Understanding the nature of this hidden order and its transitions is a key challenge in condensed matter physics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavior of the hidden order phase in URu2Si2 under high pulsed magnetic fields.
- To determine the relationship between the hidden order phase, itinerant electron metamagnetism, and potential quantum critical points.
Main Methods:
- Magnetization measurements were performed on URu2Si2 single crystals.
- Pulsed magnetic fields up to 44 Tesla were applied.
Main Results:
- The hidden order phase in URu2Si2 is destroyed by magnetic fields exceeding approximately 36 Tesla.
- A reentrant hidden order phase reappears between 36 and 39 Tesla.
- Evidence for itinerant electron metamagnetism was observed at higher temperatures.
Conclusions:
- The reentrant hidden order phase is likely associated with the vicinity of a quantum critical end point.
- The interplay between hidden order and itinerant electron metamagnetism is crucial for understanding URu2Si2's phase diagram.
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