Abstract

The orthorhombic uranium dichalcogenide UTe$_2$ displays superconductivity below 1.7 K, with the anomalous feature of retaining 50$\%$ of normal state (ungapped) carriers, according to heat capacity data from two groups. Incoherent transport that crosses over from above 50 K toward a low temperature, Kondo lattice Fermi liquid regime indicates strong magnetic fluctuations and the need to include correlation effects in theoretical modeling. We report density functional theory plus Hubbard U (DFT+U) results for UTe$_2$ to provide a platform for modeling its unusual behavior, focusing on ferromagnetic (FM, time reversal breaking) long range correlations along the ${\hat a}$ axis as established by magnetization measurements and confirmed by our calculations. States near the Fermi level are dominated by the $j=\frac{5}{2}$ configuration, with the $j_z=\pm\frac{1}{2}$ sectors being effectively degenerate and half-filled. Unlike the small-gap insulating nonmagnetic electronic spectrum, the FM Fermi surfaces are large (strongly metallic) and display low dimensional features, reminiscent of the FM superconductor UGe$_2$.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.