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Magnetic-field-controlled spin fluctuations and quantum criticality in Sr\(_3\)Ru\(_2\)O\(_7\)

Lester, C., Ramos, S., Perry, R. S., Croft, T. P., Laver, M., Bewley, R. I., Guidi, T., Hiess, A., Wildes, A., Forgan, E. M., and others. (2021) Magnetic-field-controlled spin fluctuations and quantum criticality in Sr\(_3\)Ru\(_2\)O\(_7\). Nature Communications, 12 . Article Number 5798. ISSN 2041-1723. (doi:10.1038/s41467-021-26068-3) (KAR id:91828)

Abstract

When the transition temperature of a continuous phase transition is tuned to absolute zero, new ordered phases and physical behaviour emerge in the vicinity of the resulting quantum critical point. Sr\(_3\)Ru\(_2\)O\(_7\) can be tuned through quantum criticality with magnetic field at low temperature. Near its critical field \(B\)\(_c\) it displays the hallmark \(T\)-linear resistivity and a \(T\)log(1/\(T\)) electronic heat capacity behaviour of strange metals. However, these behaviours have not been related to any critical fluctuations. Here we use inelastic neutron scattering to reveal the presence of collective spin fluctuations whose relaxation time and strength show a nearly singular variation with magnetic field as \(B\)\(_c\) is approached. The large increase in the electronic heat capacity and entropy near \(B\)\(_c\) can be understood quantitatively in terms of the scattering of conduction electrons by these spin-fluctuations. On entering the spin-density-wave ordered phase present near \(B\)\(_c\), the fluctuations become stronger suggesting that the order is stabilised through an “order-by-disorder” mechanism.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1038/s41467-021-26068-3
Subjects: Q Science > QC Physics > QC173.45 Condensed Matter
Q Science > QC Physics > QC176 Solid state physics
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Physics and Astronomy
Depositing User: Silvia Ramos Perez
Date Deposited: 30 Nov 2021 23:02 UTC
Last Modified: 01 Dec 2021 09:18 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/91828 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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