Hidden Order and Exotic Superconductivity in the Heavy-Fermion Compound URu2Si2

In this book, the author investigates hidden-order phase transition at T0 = 17.5 K in the heavy-fermion URu2Si2. The author also studies the superconducting state of URu2Si2 below Tc = 1.4 K, which coexists with the hidden-order phase.

Describes precise magnetic torque measurement using micro cantilever and local magnetization measurement using micro-Hall array Investigates the symmetry breaking in the hidden-order phase of URu2Si2 and vortex state in the superconducting phase Covers observation of the vortex lattice melting transition in ultraclean URu2Si2 single crystals at sub-Kelvin temperatures Nominated as an outstanding contribution by Kyoto University's Physics Department in 2013

Autorentext
Dr.Ryuji Okazaki
Department of Physics, Nagoya University,
Chikusa, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan.

Klappentext

In this thesis, the author investigates hidden-order phase transition at T0 = 17.5 K in the heavy-fermion URu2Si2. The four-fold rotational symmetry breaking in the hidden order phase, which imposes a strong constraint on the theoretical model, is observed through the magnetic torque measurement. The translationally invariant phase with broken rotational symmetry is interpreted as meaning that the hidden-order phase is an electronic nematic phase. The observation of such nematicity in URu2Si2 indicates a ubiquitous nature among the strongly correlated electron systems.

The author also studies the superconducting state of URu2Si2 below Tc = 1.4 K, which coexists with the hidden-order phase. A peculiar vortex penetration in the superconducting state is found, which may be related to the rotational symmetry breaking in the hidden-order phase. The author also identifies a vortex lattice melting transition. This transport study provides essential clues to the underlying issue of quasiparticle dynamics as to whether a quasiparticle Bloch state is realized in the periodic vortex lattice.

Inhalt
Introduction.- Heavy-Fermion Superconductor URu2Si2.- Magnetic torque Study on the Hidden-Order Phase.- Lower Critical Field Study on the Superconducting Phase.- Vortex Lattice Melting Transition.- Conclusion.