Low-dimensional antiferromagnetic fluctuations in the heavy-fermion paramagnetic ladder UTe$_2$

TL;DR

This study reveals low-dimensional antiferromagnetic fluctuations in UTe$_2$ above its superconducting temperature, providing insights into its magnetic properties and constraints for superconductivity models.

Contribution

First inelastic-neutron-scattering study showing antiferromagnetic fluctuations with specific wavevector and low-dimensionality in UTe$_2$ above superconducting temperature.

Findings

Antiferromagnetic fluctuations with wavevector k_1=(0,0.57,0) confirmed.

Fluctuations are low-dimensional due to ladder structure.

Weak ferromagnetic fluctuations observed down to 2.1 K.

Abstract

Inelastic-neutron-scattering measurements were performed on a single crystal of the heavy-fermion paramagnet UTe$_2$ above its superconducting temperature. We confirm the presence of antiferromagnetic fluctuations with the incommensurate wavevector $\mathbf{k}_1=(0,0.57,0)$. A quasielastic signal is found, whose momentum-transfer dependence is compatible with fluctuations of magnetic moments $\mu\parallel\mathbf{a}$, with a sine-wave modulation of wavevector $\mathbf{k}_1$ and in-phase moments on the nearest U atoms. Low dimensionality of the magnetic fluctuations, consequence of the ladder structure, is indicated by weak correlations along the direction $\mathbf{c}$. These fluctuations saturate below the temperature $T_1^*\simeq15$~K, in possible relation with anomalies observed in thermodynamic, electrical-transport and nuclear-magnetic-resonance measurements. The absence or weakness of ferromagnetic fluctuations, in our data collected at temperatures down to 2.1 K and energy transfers from 0.6 to 7.5 meV, is emphasized. These results constitute constraints for models of magnetically-mediated superconductivity in UTe$_2$.