Exceptional Ising Magnetic Behavior of Itinerant Spin-polarized Carriers in URu2Si2

TL;DR

This study reveals that the uranium 5f magnetic moments in URu2Si2 exhibit a unique Ising behavior originating from itinerant electronic states and a peculiar near-Fermi edge nested electronic structure influenced by strong spin-orbit interaction.

Contribution

The paper demonstrates that the Ising magnetic behavior in URu2Si2 arises from itinerant electrons and specific electronic structure features, providing new insights into its magnetic properties.

Findings

Uranium 5f moments show Ising behavior

Origin linked to near-Fermi edge nesting

Strong spin-orbit interaction influences anisotropy

Abstract

We show on the basis of electronic structure calculations that the uranium 5$f$ magnetic moment in URu$_2$Si$_2$ exhibits a unique Ising behavior, which surprisingly, arises from itinerant electronic states. The origin of the unusual Ising behavior is analyzed as due to the peculiar near-Fermi edge nested electronic structure of URu$_2$Si$_2$ involving its strong spin-orbit interaction. The Ising anisotropy has pertinent implications for theories applicable to explaining the Hidden Order phase in URu$_2$Si$_2$.