Exotic superconducting state embedded in the hidden order state of URu2Si2

Abstract

The heavy-fermion compound URu2Si2 has mystified researchers since the superconducting state (Tc=1.45K) is embedded within the enigmatic ‘‘hidden order” phase (Th=17.5K). Here, we report charge and thermal transport measurements on ultraclean single crystals of URu2Si2 with very large residual-resistivity-ratio down to 30mK (∼Tc/50), which reveal a number of unprecedented superconducting properties. The results provide strong evidence for a new type of unconventional superconductivity with two distinct gaps having different nodal topology. We propose a gap function with chiral d-wave form Δ(k)=Δ0kz(kx+iky). We also demonstrate that a distinct flux line lattice melting transition with outstanding characters occurs well below the upper critical fields even at sub-Kelvin temperature. The intriguing superconducting state of URu2Si2 adds a unique and exciting example to the list of unconventional superconductors.