Itinerant metamagnetism induced by electronic nematic order

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that electronic nematic order can induce itinerant metamagnetism in metals, leading to two distinct metamagnetic transitions, with potential relevance to Sr$_3$Ru$_2$O$_7$.

Contribution

It introduces a simple model linking spin-dependent Fermi surface instability to nematic order and metamagnetic transitions, providing a new mechanism for itinerant metamagnetism.

Findings

Two consecutive metamagnetic transitions induced by nematic order.

Nematic phase separates low-field and high-field metallic phases.

Possible relevance to the physics of Sr$_3$Ru$_2$O$_7$.

Abstract

It is shown that metamagnetic transition in metals can occur via the formation of electronic nematic order. We consider a simple model where the spin-dependent Fermi surface instability gives rise to the formation of an electronic nematic phase upon increasing the applied Zeeman magnetic field. This leads to two consecutive metamagnetic transitions that separate the nematic phase from the low-field and high-field 'isotropic' metallic phases. Possible connection to the physics of the bilayer Ruthenate, Sr$_3$Ru$_2$O$_7$, is also discussed.