Griffiths phase and symmetry breaking in the hidden-order phase of URu2Si2

TL;DR

This paper reveals a Griffiths phase within the hidden-order phase of URu2Si2, characterized by residual short-range correlations and cluster-like spins, challenging previous notions of the order parameter and linking hidden order to antiferromagnetism.

Contribution

It reports the discovery of a Griffiths phase in URu2Si2, providing evidence for short-range correlations and unifying hidden order with antiferromagnetism, which is a novel interpretation.

Findings

Identification of a Griffiths phase with power-law susceptibility and specific heat

Observation of unidirectional anisotropy in resistivity under magnetic fields

Exclusion of a traditional order parameter for the hidden phase

Abstract

The heavy-fermion compound URu2Si2 exhibits a hidden-order phase below the temperature, ~ 17.5 K. In spite of intense research for past three decades, no consensus on the order parameter exists and the nature has posed a long-standing mystery. Here we report the discovery of a Griffiths phase within the hidden-order phase, characterized by residual short-range correlations on the collapse of long-range orders due to the dilution effects. In the Griffiths phase scenario, strong evidence are provided for those cluster-like spins, such as the unique power-law behavior of magnetic susceptibility and specific heat as well as the frequency dispersion of AC susceptibility. In this way, the existence of an order parameter is excluded, and the hidden order has a significant kinship with the long-range large-moment antiferromagnetism which is accessible by tuning the hydrostatic pressure or the chemical pressure (i.e., isoelectronic Fe doping). Moreover, an unidirectional anisotropy of resistivity measurements in rotating magnetic fields is observed in the hidden-order phase. The anisotropic magnetoresistance and the associated broken symmetries directly reflect the freezing behavior of at least part of magnetic clusters. Thus, the demonstrations of the Griffiths phase as an alternative proposal for the hidden-order phase of URu2Si2 are very promising, challenging the understanding of exotic electronic states in correlated matter and quantum materials.