High field superconductivity in actinide quantum materials

非技术摘要：自旋三重态超导是一种奇异的量子现象，在真实的材料中很少发现，这使得理解它是如何工作的具有基本的物理意义。自旋三重态超导性也被追求作为未来量子计算应用的潜在平台。本计画系利用多重量测技术，对高磁场下自旋三重态超导特性进行实验研究。一个研究重点是最近发现的材料，二碲化铀，具有许多不寻常的物理性质，其中最突出的是存在一个新的高场超导相，其起源还不清楚。这项研究推进了对电子相关性的基本物理理解，在存在多种竞争相互作用的情况下的涌现特性，以及它们在自旋三重态超导性中的作用。该研究计划培养博士后研究员，有助于培训量子材料合成和测量方面的初级研究人员，并利用国家科学用户设施进行专门实验。该计划有助于公共宣传活动和本科生和研究生的教育机会。技术摘要：自旋三重态超导物理是非常重要的基本利益，因为这种现象的例子是罕见的真实的材料。拓扑超导性的分类和实现也具有应用兴趣，因为研究人员正在寻找有前途的平台来开发容错量子计算。本计画主要研究自旋三重态超导体二碲化铀及相关材料的强磁场相态与性质。这一本征拓扑超导性的主要候选者具有非常丰富的高场相图，包括约40至65特斯拉之间的最高场重入超导相，据信这是由降低的电子维数驱动的。该团队对二碲化铀和相关材料进行了有针对性的高磁场测量，包括传输，磁力测量和量热测量，以识别和理解这些新的和不寻常的高场电子秩序形式。这些测量精确地定义了碲化铀和相关材料的复杂高场相边界，深入了解了是什么稳定了这些涌现相及其微观序参数。该项目促进了对电子相关性、多重竞争相互作用下的涌现特性和非常规超导性的理解。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Non-Technical Abstract:Spin-triplet superconductivity is an exotic quantum phenomenon rarely identified in real materials, making it of fundamental physical interest to understand how it works. Spin-triplet superconductivity is also being pursued as a potential platform for future quantum computing applications. This project is an experimental investigation of the properties of spin-triplet superconductivity at high magnetic fields using multiple measurement techniques. A research focus is the recently discovered material, uranium ditelluride, that has numerous unusual physical properties, the most outstanding of which is the presence of a new high-field superconducting phase whose origins are not well understood. This research advances fundamental physical understanding of electron correlations, emergent properties in the presence of multiple competing interactions, and their role in spin-triplet superconductivity. This research program trains a postdoctoral researcher, contributes to the training of junior researchers in quantum materials synthesis and measurement, and utilizes national scientific user facilities to perform specialized experiments. The program contributes to public outreach activities and educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.Technical Abstract: The physics of spin-triplet superconductivity is of great fundamental interest as examples of this phenomenon are rare in real materials. Classification and realization of topological superconductivity is also of applied interest, as researchers look for promising platforms on which to develop fault-tolerant quantum computing. This project focuses on the high magnetic field phases and properties of the spin triplet superconductor uranium ditelluride and related materials. This leading candidate for intrinsic topological superconductivity has a remarkably rich high-field phase diagram, including the highest-field reentrant superconducting phase between approximately 40 and 65 teslas, which is believed to be driven by reduced electron dimensionality. The team performs targeted high magnetic field measurements, including transport, magnetometry, and calorimetry, on uranium ditelluride and related materials to identify and understand these new and unusual forms of high-field electronic order. These measurements precisely define the complicated high-field phase boundaries of uranium ditelluride and related materials, give insight into what stabilizes these emergent phases and their microscopic order parameters. The project advances understanding of electron correlations, emergent properties in the presence of multiple competing interactions, and unconventional superconductivity.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.