Microscopic Imaging Homogeneous and Single Phase Superfluid Density in $$\mathrm{UTe_2}$$

Journal Article · 12 May 2023 · Physical Review Letters

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.130.196003 · OSTI ID:2001174

Iguchi, Yusuke  ^[1]; Man, Huiyuan  ^[2]; Thomas, Sean M.  ^[3]; Ronning, Filip ^[3]; Rosa, Priscila F. S.  ^[3]; Moler, Kathryn A.  ^[1]

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1. Stanford University, CA (United States). Geballe Laboratory for Advanced Materials; SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC), Menlo Park, CA (United States)
2. Stanford University, CA (United States). Geballe Laboratory for Advanced Materials
3. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Odd-parity superconductor $$\mathrm{UTe_2}$$ shows spontaneous time-reversal symmetry breaking and multiple superconducting phases, which imply chiral superconductivity, but only in a subset of samples. Here, we microscopically observe a homogeneous superfluid density $$n_s$$ on the surface of $$\mathrm{UTe_2}$$ and an enhanced superconducting transition temperature near the edges. We also detect vortex-antivortex pairs even at zero magnetic field, indicating the existence of a hidden internal field. The temperature dependence of $$n_s$$, determined independent of sample geometry, does not support point nodes along the $$b$$ axis for a quasi-2D Fermi surface and provides no evidence for multiple phase transitions in $$\mathrm{UTe_2}$$.

• Research Organization: Stanford University, CA (United States). Geballe Laboratory for Advanced Materials; Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Materials Sciences & Engineering Division (MSE); USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• Grant/Contract Number: 89233218CNA000001; AC02-76SF00515
• OSTI ID: 2001174
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 2205045
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-22-31555; TRN: US2405606
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 130, Issue 19; ISSN 0031-9007
• Publisher: American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English