Low energy band structure and symmetries of UTe2 from angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy

TL;DR

This study uses high-resolution ARPES to map the complex 3D electronic band structure and symmetries of UTe2, providing crucial insights into its potential for unconventional superconductivity.

Contribution

It offers the first detailed experimental mapping of UTe2's electronic bands and symmetries, informing theories of its topological and superconducting properties.

Findings

Identification of two quasi-one-dimensional light electron bands and one heavy band at the Fermi level.

Electronic symmetries consistent with theoretical models, supporting unconventional order.

Detailed 3D band structure mapping of UTe2.

Abstract

The compound UTe2 has recently been shown to realize spin triplet superconductivity from a non-magnetic normal state. This has sparked intense research activity, including theoretical analyses that suggest the superconducting order parameter to be topologically nontrivial. However, the underlying electronic band structure is a critical factor for these analyses, and remains poorly understood. Here, we present high resolution angle resolved photoemission (ARPES) measurements covering multiple planes in the 3D Brillouin zone of UTe2, revealing distinct Fermi-level features from two orthogonal quasi-one dimensional light electron bands and one heavy band. The electronic symmetries are evaluated in comparison with numerical simulations, and the resulting picture is discussed as a platform for unconventional many-body order.