Suppression of hidden order in URu2Si2 under pressure and restoration in magnetic field

We describe here recent inelastic neutron scattering experiments on the heavy fermion compound URu2Si2 realized in order to clarify the nature of the hidden order (HO) phase which occurs below T_0 = 17.5 K at ambient pressure. The choice was to measure at a given pressure P where the system will go, by lowering the temperature, successively from paramagnetic (PM) to HO and then to antiferromagnetic phase (AF). Furthermore, in order to verify the selection of the pressure, a macroscopic detection of the phase transitions was also achieved in situ via its thermal expansion response detected by a strain gauge glued on the crystal. Just above P_x = 0.5 GPa, where the ground state switches from HO to AF, the Q_0 = (1, 0, 0) excitation disappears while the excitation at the incommensurate wavevector Q_1 = (1.4, 0, 0) remains. Thus, the Q_0 = (1, 0, 0) excitation is intrinsic only in the HO phase. This result is reinforced by studies where now pressure and magnetic field $H$ can be used as tuning variable. Above P_x, the AF phase at low temperature is destroyed by a magnetic field larger than H_AF (collapse of the AF Q_0 = (1, 0, 0) Bragg reflection). The field reentrance of the HO phase is demonstrated by the reappearance of its characteristic Q_0 = (1, 0, 0) excitation. The recovery of a PM phase will only be achieved far above H_AF at H_M approx 35 T. To determine the P-H-T phase diagram of URu2Si2, macroscopic measurements of the thermal expansion were realized with a strain gauge. The reentrant magnetic field increases strongly with pressure. Finally, to investigate the interplay between superconductivity (SC) and spin dynamics, new inelastic neutron scattering experiments are reported down to 0.4 K, far below the superconducting critical temperature T_SC approx 1.3 K as measured on our crystal by diamagnetic shielding.Comment: 5 pages, 7 figures, ICN 2009 conference proceeding

Huge First-Order Metamagnetic Transition in the Paramagnetic Heavy-Fermion System CeTiGe

We report on the observation of large, step-like anomalies in the magnetization ($\Delta M = 0.74$\,$\mu_{\rm B}$/Ce), in the magnetostriction ($\Delta l/l_{0} = 2.0 \cdot 10^{-3}$), and in the magnetoresistance in polycrystals of the paramagnetic heavy-fermion system CeTiGe at a critical magnetic field $\mu_0 H_c \approx$ 12.5\,T at low temperatures. The size of these anomalies is much larger than those reported for the prototypical heavy-fermion metamagnet CeRu$_2$Si$_2$. Furthermore, hysteresis between increasing and decreasing field data indicate a real thermodynamic, first-order type of phase transition, in contrast to the crossover reported for CeRu$_2$Si$_2$. Analysis of the resistivity data shows a pronounced decrease of the electronic quasiparticle mass across $H_c$. These results establish CeTiGe as a new metamagnetic Kondo-lattice system, with an exceptionally large, metamagnetic transition of first-order type at a moderate field.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Comment on ``Texture in the Superconducting Order Parameter of CeCoIn5_5 Revealed by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance''

The study of the Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) state has been of considerable recent interest. Below the temperature $T^*$ which is believed to be the transition temperature ($T$) to the FFLO phase in CeCoIn$_5$, K. Kakuyanagi et al. (Phys. Rev. Lett. 94, 047602 (2005)) reported a composite NMR spectrum with a tiny component observed at frequencies corresponding to the normal state signal. The results were interpreted as evidence for the emergence of an FFLO state. This result is inconsistent with two other NMR studies of V. F. Mitrovi{\'c} et al. (Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 117002 (2006)) and B.-L. Young et al. (Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 036402 (2007)). In this comment we show that the findings of K. Kakuyanagi et al. do not reflect the true nature of the FFLO state but result from excess RF excitation power used in that experiment.Comment: 1 page, to appear in PR

Magnetic structure of CeRhIn5_{5} under magnetic field

The magnetically ordered ground state of CeRhIn$_{5}$ at ambient pressure and zero magnetic field is an incomensurate helicoidal phase with the propagation vector $\bf{k}$=(1/2, 1/2, 0.298) and the magnetic moment in the basal plane of the tetragonal structure. We determined by neutron diffraction the two different magnetically ordered phases of CeRhIn$_{5}$ evidenced by bulk measurements under applied magnetic field in its basal plane. The low temperature high magnetic phase corresponds to a sine-wave structure of the magnetization being commensurate with $\bf{k}$=(1/2, 1/2, 1/4). At high temperature, the phase is incommensurate with $\bf{k}$=(1/2, 1/2, 0.298) and a possible small ellipticity. The propagation vector of this phase is the same as the one of the zero-field structure.Comment: 4 Figure

Phonon anomalies at the valence transition of SmS : An inelasticX-ray scattering study under pressure

The phonon dispersion curve of SmS under pressure was studied by inelastic x-ray scattering around the pressure-induced valence transition. A significant softening of the longitudinal acoustic modes propagating along the [111] direction was observed spanning a wide $q$ region from ($\frac{2\pi}{3a},\frac{2\pi}{3a},\frac{2\pi}{3a}$) up to the zone boundary as SmS becomes metallic. The largest softening occurs at the zone boundary and stays stable up to the highest measured pressure of 80 kbar while a gradual hardening of the low $q$ modes simultaneously appears. This phonon spectrum indicates favorable conditions for the emergence of pressure-induced superconductivity in SmS.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

ESR of YbRh2Si2 and 174YbRh2Si2 : local and itinerant properties

Below the Kondo temperature the heavy Fermion compound YbRh$_{2}$Si$_{2}$ shows a well defined Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) with local Yb$^{3+}$ properties. We report a detailed analysis of the ESR intensity which gives information on the number of ESR active centers relative to the ESR of well localized Yb$^{3+}$ in YPd$_3$:Yb. The ESR lineshape is investigated regarding contributions from itinerant centers. From the ESR of monoisotopic $^{174}$YbRh$_{2}$Si$_{2}$ we could exclude unresolved hyperfine contributions to the lineshape.Comment: 3 Figure