Boosted magnetic fluctuations at the onset of superconductivity in UTe 2 beyond 40 T

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Authors: T. Thebault, K. Somesh, G. Lapertot, Marc Nardone, Abdelkrim Zitouni, Manuel J. Barragán, J. Béard, Jean‐Michel Billette, Florence Lecouturier, Simon Tardieu, D. Aoki, G. Knebel
+2 more D. Braithwaite, W. Knafo
Cited by: 0
References: 66

Abstract

Several unconventional superconducting phases have been discovered close to a metamagnetic transition in the heavy-fermion compound UTe$_2$. Although suspected to be of magnetic nature, the mechanisms stabilizing these superconducting phases remain mysterious. Here, we present electrical-resistivity measurements on UTe$_2$, with a current $\mathbf{I}\parallel\mathbf{a}$ and under pulsed magnetic fields up to 60~T rotating in the ($\mathbf{b}$,$\mathbf{c}$) plane. We find that the maximum of the Fermi-liquid coefficient $A$ at the metamagnetic transition is enhanced under magnetic fields tilted by $30-40~^\circ$ from $\mathbf{b}$ to $\mathbf{c}$. The enhancement of $A$ coincides with the stabilization of superconductivity in the polarized paramagnetic regime beyond the metamagnetic field $μ_0H_m\gtrsim40$~T. It is the signature of a boosted quantum-critical magnetic-fluctuation mode probably in play for the mechanism of this superconducting phase. This result appeals for descriptions of the interplay between magnetic-field-induced superconductivity and quantum critical magnetic properties.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Rare-earth and actinide compounds Nuclear Materials and Properties Radioactive element chemistry and processing

Publication details

Journal / source
Physical review. B./Physical review. B
Publisher
American Physical Society (APS)
Volume
113
Issue
22
Publication date
15 May 2026
Language
EN