Enhanced triplet superconductivity in next-generation ultraclean UTe₂.

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Materials Science
• Quantum Materials

Background:

• Unconventional superconductors like uranium telluride (UTe2) show potential for quantum computation.
• UTe2 exhibits complex phases, including spin-triplet superconductivity, but research is hindered by sample quality variations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the high magnetic field behavior of pristine quality UTe2 crystals.
• To clarify the influence of crystalline disorder on UTe2's superconducting phases.

Main Methods:

• Performed comprehensive high magnetic field measurements on high-quality UTe2 crystals.
• Utilized a Ginzburg-Landau model to analyze the dependence on sample quality.

Main Results:

• Revealed a revised high magnetic field superconducting phase diagram for UTe2 in the ultraclean limit.
• Demonstrated a significant sensitivity of field-induced superconductivity to crystalline disorder.
• The Ginzburg-Landau model accurately captured the observed dependence on sample quality.

Conclusions:

• Magnetic fluctuations, suppressed by disorder, likely tune UTe2 between distinct spin-triplet superconducting phases near a metamagnetic transition.
• Understanding the role of disorder is crucial for elucidating the exotic superconductivity in UTe2.