Field-induced spin-density wave beyond hidden order in URu2Si2

• Published in: Nature communications Vol. 7; no. 1; p. 13075
• Main Authors: Knafo, W., Duc, F., Bourdarot, F., Kuwahara, K., Nojiri, H., Aoki, D., Billette, J., Frings, P., Tonon, X., Lelièvre-Berna, E., Flouquet, J., Regnault, L.-P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 20.10.2016; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 639/301/119/997; 639/766/119/2795; 639/766/119/995; Condensed Matter; Humanities and Social Sciences; Materials research; Materials Science; multidisciplinary; Neutrons; Phase transitions; Physics; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Strongly Correlated Electrons; Superconductivity; France; Japan
• ISSN: 2041-1723; 2041-1723
• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13075

URu 2 Si 2 is one of the most enigmatic strongly correlated electron systems and offers a fertile testing ground for new concepts in condensed matter science. In spite of >30 years of intense research, no consensus on the order parameter of its low-temperature hidden-order phase exists. A strong magnetic field transforms the hidden order into magnetically ordered phases, whose order parameter has also been defying experimental observation. Here, thanks to neutron diffraction under pulsed magnetic fields up to 40 T, we identify the field-induced phases of URu 2 Si 2 as a spin-density-wave state. The transition to the spin-density wave represents a unique touchstone for understanding the hidden-order phase. An intimate relationship between this magnetic structure, the magnetic fluctuations and the Fermi surface is emphasized, calling for dedicated band-structure calculations. The strongly-correlated electron system URu 2 Si 2 possesses a hidden-order phase whose order parameter remains unidentified. Here, the authors demonstrate the development of spin-density-wave phases in URu 2 Si 2 under high magnetic fields, providing a potential in-road to understanding this system.