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Determination of Thermodynamic Properties of Alkaline Earth-liquid Metal Alloys Using the Electromotive Force Technique
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An electronic nematic liquid in BaNi2As2
Yi Yao1, Roland Willa2, Tom Lacmann1
1Institut für Quantenmaterialien und -technologien, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie, 76021, Karlsruhe, Germany.
Nature Communications
|August 4, 2022
Summary
Strong electronic nematicity fluctuations were observed in a nickel compound, suggesting a dynamic phase strongly coupled to its crystal lattice. This finding offers insights into correlated electron systems and novel electronic phases.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Quantum Materials
Background:
- Understanding emergent electronic phases in interacting electron systems is crucial.
- Electronic nematicity, a phase breaking rotational symmetry, is key in correlated systems like Fe-based superconductors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate electronic nematicity and its fluctuations in nickel-based compounds, analogues to Fe-based superconductors.
- To explore the coupling between electronic nematicity and the crystal lattice.
Main Methods:
- Experimental observation of strong fluctuations in symmetry breaking above phase transitions.
- Analysis of phonon line splitting as an indicator of dynamic nematicity.
Main Results:
- Exceptionally strong electronic nematicity fluctuations were detected over an extended temperature range above phase transitions in the studied nickel compound.
- Evidence suggests a dynamical electronic nematicity with significant coupling to the crystal lattice.
- Phonon line splitting was observed due to fluctuations between nematic configurations, without symmetry breaking.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the existence of dynamical electronic nematicity in nickel compounds.
- This dynamical nematicity exhibits a strong coupling to the crystal lattice, influencing material properties.
- The behavior is analogous to spin liquids in magnetic systems, offering a new perspective on quantum phases.
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