Anisotropic inelastic scattering and its interplay with superconductivity in URu2 Si2

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Zengwei Zhu - , Sorbonne Université, Zhejiang University (Author)
  • Elena Hassinger - , French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) (Author)
  • Zhu'An Xu - , Zhejiang University (Author)
  • Dai Aoki - , French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) (Author)
  • Jacques Flouquet - , French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) (Author)
  • Kamran Behnia - , Sorbonne Université (Author)

Abstract

In contrast to almost all anisotropic superconductors, the upper critical field of URu2 Si2 is larger when the field is oriented along the less conducting direction. We present a study of resistivity and Seebeck coefficient extended down to sub-Kelvin temperature range uncovering a singular case of anisotropy. When the current is injected along the c axis URu2 Si2 behaves as a low-density Fermi liquid. When it flows along the a axis, even in presence of a large field, resistivity remains T-linear down to Tc and the Seebeck coefficient undergoes a sign change at very low temperatures. We conclude that the characteristic energy scale is anisotropic and vanishingly small in the basal plane.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number172501
JournalPhysical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Volume80
Issue number17
Publication statusPublished - 2 Nov 2009
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes