arXiv · 2304.11242
$μ^+$ Knight Shift in UTe$_2$: Evidence for Relocalization in a Kondo Lattice
Abstract
The local magnetic susceptibility of the spin-triplet superconductor UTe$_2$ has been investigated by positive muon ($μ^+$) Knight shift measurements in the normal state. Three distinct $μ^+$ Knight shift components are observed for a magnetic field applied parallel to the $c$ axis. Two of these exhibit a breakdown in the linear relationship with the bulk magnetic susceptibility ($χ$) below a temperature $T^* \! \sim \! 30$ K, which points to a gradual emergence of a correlated Kondo liquid. Below $T_{\rm r} \! \sim \! 12$ K linearity is gradually restored, indicating partial relocalization of the Kondo liquid quasiparticles. The third Knight shift component is two orders of magnitude larger, and despite the $c$-axis alignment of the external field, scales with the $a$-axis $χ$ above $T_{\rm r} \! \sim \! 12$ K. We conjecture that this component is associated with magnetic clusters and the change in the temperature dependence of all three Knight shift components below $T_{\rm r}$ is associated with a change in magnetic correlations. Our findings indicate that prior to the onset of superconductivity the development of the itinerant heavy-electron fluid is halted by a gradual development of local U $5f$-moment fluctuations.
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N. Azari, M. R. Goeks, M. Yakovlev, M. Abedi, S. R. Dunsiger, S. M. Thomas, J. D. Thompson, P. F. S. Rosa, J. E. Sonier. 2023-04-21. $μ^+$ Knight Shift in UTe$_2$: Evidence for Relocalization in a Kondo Lattice. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.108.l081103
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