Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2025
04:51
Comparison of Two Different Synthesis Methods of Single Crystals of Superconducting Uranium Ditelluride
Published on: July 8, 2021
2.7K
Probing p-wave superconductivity in UTe2 via point-contact junctions
Hyeok Yoon1, Yun Suk Eo1, Jihun Park1,2
1Department of Physics, Maryland Quantum Materials Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD USA.
Npj Quantum Materials
|November 18, 2024
Summary
Uranium ditelluride (UTe2) shows strong evidence for p-wave superconductivity. Spectroscopic studies reveal a dominant p-wave gap, supporting spin-triplet pairing in this material.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Quantum Materials
Background:
- Uranium ditelluride (UTe2) is a leading candidate for bulk p-wave superconductivity.
- Understanding the pairing mechanism in UTe2 is crucial for advancing topological quantum computing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To spectroscopically investigate the superconducting phase of UTe2 at ambient pressure.
- To provide evidence for the proposed p-wave pairing symmetry and spin-triplet nature.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of point-contact junctions on different crystalline facets of UTe2.
- Measurement of conductance spectra down to 250 mK and up to 18 T.
- Analysis of spectra using the Blonder-Tinkham-Klapwijk (BTK) model for p-wave pairing.
Main Results:
- Spectroscopic data shows good agreement with the BTK model for p-wave pairing.
- A dominant p-wave gap function with an amplitude of 0.26 ± 0.06 meV was extracted.
- The extracted gap structure is consistent with spin-triplet pairing.
Conclusions:
- This study provides strong spectroscopic evidence supporting the p-wave superconducting state in UTe2.
- The findings reinforce UTe2's potential as a platform for exotic superconductivity and spintronic applications.
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