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Slow magnetic quantum oscillations in the c-axis magnetoresistance of UTe2

Freya Husstedt1,2, Motoi Kimata3, Sajal Naduvile Thadathil1,2, Beat Valentin Schwarze1, Markus König4, Gerard Lapertot5, Jean-Pascal Brison5, Georg Knebel5, Dai Aoki6 et al.

J. Wosnitza1 and Toni Helm1,4,*

  • *Contact author: t.helm@hzdr.de
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Phys. Rev. B 111, 235131 – Published 18 June, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/nv42-w4t7

Abstract

Details of the electronic band structure in unconventional superconductors are key to the understanding of their fundamental ground state. The potential spin-triplet superconductor UTe2, with Tc≈2.1K, has attracted attention recently. Its main Fermi surface consists of weakly corrugated, two-dimensional Fermi-surface cylinders that run along the crystallographic c axis. In addition, there is evidence for the presence of an additional small three-dimensional band. This has been discussed controversially as it may be essential for the realization of superconductivity in UTe2. Here, we investigate the angle-resolved magnetoresistance and Hall effect in bulk crystalline samples with current along the c axis in fields up to 60T. We observe low-frequency magnetic quantum oscillations with light effective masses that are most pronounced for magnetic field applied along the a axis. Two distinct frequencies indicate two separate changes in the Fermi-surface topology, likely connected with Lifshitz transitions. We discuss the origin of these oscillations in terms of magnetic breakdown, quantum interference, and other potential mechanisms.

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Phys. Rev. B 111, 235131– Published 18 June, 2025
  • Received 15 March 2025
  • Revised 9 May 2025
  • Accepted 27 May 2025
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