Single thermodynamic transition at 2 K in superconducting UTe2 single crystals

Rosa, Priscila F. S.; Weiland, Ashley; Fender, Shannon S.; Scott, Brian L.; Ronning, Filip; Thompson, Joe D.; Bauer, Eric D.; Thomas, Sean M.

doi:10.1038/s43246-022-00254-2

Title: Single thermodynamic transition at 2 K in superconducting UTe2 single crystals

Journal Article · 23 May 2022 · Communications Materials

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-022-00254-2 · OSTI ID:1869328

; Weiland, Ashley; Fender, Shannon S.;

; Ronning, Filip; Thompson, Joe D.;

;

Abstract UTe ₂ is a newly-discovered unconventional superconductor wherein multicomponent topological superconductivity is anticipated based on the presence of two superconducting transitions and time-reversal symmetry breaking in the superconducting state. The observation of two superconducting transitions, however, remains controversial. Here we demonstrate that UTe ₂ single crystals displaying an optimal superconducting transition temperature at 2 K exhibit a single transition and remarkably high quality supported by their large residual resistance ratio and small residual heat capacity in the superconducting state. Our results shed light on the intrinsic superconducting properties of UTe ₂ and bring into question whether UTe ₂ is a multicomponent superconductor at ambient pressure.

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Research Organization:: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF)

Grant/Contract Number:: 89233218CNA000001

OSTI ID:: 1869328

Report Number(s):: LA-UR--21-30149; 33; PII: 254

Journal Information:: Communications Materials, Journal Name: Communications Materials Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 3; ISSN 2662-4443

Publisher:: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United Kingdom

Language:: English

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Title: Single thermodynamic transition at 2 K in superconducting UTe2 single crystals

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