Electron nematic fluid in a strained Sr3Ru2O7 film

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that epitaxial strain in Sr3Ru2O7 films enhances electron nematic phases and magnetic interactions, revealing tunable emergent properties and anisotropic non-Fermi liquid behavior influenced by magnetic field direction.

Contribution

It shows how epitaxial strain modifies electron nematic behavior and magnetic properties in Sr3Ru2O7 films, extending phase stability and revealing new anisotropic phenomena.

Findings

Enhanced electron nematic phase at higher temperatures and broader magnetic field range.

Strain-induced modification of magnetic interactions and Fermi surface features.

Magnetic field direction controls anisotropic non-Fermi liquid behavior.

Abstract

Sr3Ru2O7 belongs to the family of layered strontium ruthenates and exhibits a range of unusual emergent properties, such as electron nematic behavior and metamagnetism. Here, we show that epitaxial film strain significantly modifies these phenomena. In particular, we observe enhanced magnetic interactions and an electron nematic phase that extends to much higher temperatures and over a larger magnetic field range than in bulk single crystals. Furthermore, the films show an unusual anisotropic non-Fermi liquid behavior that is controlled by the direction of the applied magnetic field. At high magnetic fields the metamagnetic transition to a ferromagnetic phase recovers isotropic Fermi-liquid behavior. The results support the interpretation that these phenomena are linked to the special features of the Fermi surface, which can be tuned by both film strain and an applied magnetic field.