High Field Studies of the Hidden Order Transition in URu$_2$Si$_2$

TL;DR

This study investigates the high magnetic field phases of URu$_2$Si$_2$, revealing the suppression of the hidden order phase and the emergence of a new phase at low temperatures, with critical fields identified up to 45 T.

Contribution

The paper provides detailed experimental data on the phase transitions of URu$_2$Si$_2$ under high magnetic fields, clarifying the behavior of the hidden order phase and identifying new high-field phases.

Findings

Hidden order phase suppressed at ~36 T

New high-field phase appears below 6 K

Complete suppression of high-field state at ~40 T

Abstract

We studied in detail the low temperature/high magnetic field phases of URu$_{2}$Si$_{2}$ single crystals with specific heat, magnetocaloric effect, and magnetoresistance in magnetic fields up to 45 T. Data obtained down to 0.5 K, and extrapolated to T = 0, show a suppression of the hidden order phase at H$_{o}$(0) = 35.9 $\pm$ 0.35 T and the appearance of a new phase for magnetic fields in excess of H$_{1}$(0) = 36.1 $\pm$ 0.35 T observed \textit{only} at temperatures lower than 6 K. In turn, complete suppression of this high field state is attained at a critical magnetic field H$_{2}$(0) = 39.7 $\pm$ 0.35 T. No phase transitions are observed above 40 T. We discuss our results in the context of itinerant vs. localized \textit{f}-electron behavior and consider the implications for the hidden order phase.