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Updated: Jul 29, 2025
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Comparison of Two Different Synthesis Methods of Single Crystals of Superconducting Uranium Ditelluride
Published on: July 8, 2021
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Microscopic Imaging Homogeneous and Single Phase Superfluid Density in UTe_{2}.
Yusuke Iguchi1,2, Huiyuan Man1,3, S M Thomas4
1Geballe Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|May 27, 2023
Summary
Researchers observed homogeneous superfluid density in the superconductor UTe2, revealing a hidden internal field and enhanced transition temperatures at edges. This challenges previous theories of multiple superconducting phases and chiral superconductivity in UTe2.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Superconductivity Research
- Materials Science
Background:
- The superconductor Uranium Ditelluride (UTe2) exhibits spontaneous time-reversal symmetry breaking and multiple superconducting phases in some samples, suggesting chiral superconductivity.
- However, these phenomena are not consistently observed across all UTe2 samples, leading to ongoing debate about its superconducting nature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To microscopically investigate the superconducting properties of UTe2, focusing on superfluid density and transition temperatures.
- To clarify the existence and nature of chiral superconductivity and multiple superconducting phases in UTe2.
- To identify the origin of the hidden internal field suggested by previous studies.
Main Methods:
- Microscopic observation of superfluid density (n_s) on the UTe2 surface.
- Measurement of superconducting transition temperatures, particularly near sample edges.
- Detection of vortex-antivortex pairs at zero magnetic field.
- Analysis of the temperature dependence of n_s, independent of sample geometry.
Main Results:
- A homogeneous superfluid density (n_s) was observed across the UTe2 surface.
- Superconducting transition temperatures were found to be enhanced near the edges of UTe2 samples.
- Vortex-antivortex pairs were detected even in the absence of an external magnetic field, indicating an intrinsic internal field.
- The temperature dependence of n_s does not support the presence of point nodes along the b axis for a quasi-2D Fermi surface.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest a homogeneous superconducting state in UTe2, challenging theories requiring inhomogeneity for certain phenomena.
- The observed internal field and edge effects provide new insights into the complex physics of UTe2 superconductivity.
- The data do not support multiple superconducting phase transitions or point nodes along the b axis, necessitating a re-evaluation of existing models for UTe2.
