Fate of Pomeranchuk effect in ultrahigh magnetic fields

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that an electron system exhibits a Pomeranchuk effect similar to helium-3, with solidification and reentrant liquid behavior in ultrahigh magnetic fields, revealing new insights into magnetic entropy's role.

Contribution

It shows that the Pomeranchuk effect occurs in electron systems under high magnetic fields, extending the phenomenon beyond helium-3 and elucidating magnetic entropy's influence.

Findings

Electron systems exhibit Pomeranchuk effect in high magnetic fields

Reentrant liquid state observed at ultrahigh magnetic fields

Magnetic entropy and magnetization explain the phenomena

Abstract

The Pomeranchuk effect is a counterintuitive phenomenon where liquid helium-3 (3He) solidifies under specific pressures, not when cooled, but when heated. This behaviour originates from the magnetic entropy of nuclear spins, suggesting a magnetic field should influence it. However, its detailed response to magnetic fields remains elusive due to the small nuclear magneton of 3He and lack of analogous fermion systems. Here, we show that an electron system also exhibit the Pomeranchuk effect, where the Fermi liquid state solidifies in a high magnetic field, unlike conventional electron systems where a field melts an electron solid into a metal. Remarkably, the electron system displays a reentrant liquid state in ultrahigh fields. These responses are explained by changes in magnetic entropy and magnetisation, extending the underlying physics to 3He. Our findings clarify magnetic-field impact on the Pomeranchuk effect and open avenues for magnetic control of chemical interactions.