Heat-capacity measurements under uniaxial pressure using a piezo-driven device

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Uniaxial pressure is crucial for tuning properties of quantum materials.
• Measuring heat capacity under strain requires specialized techniques for high resolution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate a novel technique for measuring heat capacity under large uniaxial pressure.
• To achieve high-resolution measurements at cryogenic temperatures (millikelvin to 8 K).

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a piezoelectric-driven device to apply compressive and tensile strain.
• Employing an AC heat-capacity technique for precise measurements.
• Optimizing the setup for a wide temperature range, adaptable by changing thermometers.

Main Results:

• Successfully measured heat capacity under uniaxial pressure with high resolution.
• Demonstrated the technique's capability on the unconventional superconductor Sr2RuO4.
• Showcased the setup's adaptability to different temperature regimes.

Conclusions:

• The developed technique offers a powerful tool for investigating strain-dependent phenomena in materials.
• This method enables detailed studies of electronic phase transitions under controlled strain.
• The setup's flexibility allows for broad applications in condensed matter research.