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Hidden Density-Wave Instability in the Trimer Ruthenate
Phys. Rev. Lett. 137, 036502 – Published 13 July, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/ntfh-mk9d
Abstract
We report an unprecedented hidden density-wave instability in the trimer-based ruthenate , previously regarded as a purely antiferromagnetic insulator. This instability develops in two distinct stages: an electronically driven reconstruction at manifested in structural, thermodynamic, and transport anomalies that remain remarkably insensitive to magnetic fields up to at least 14 T, followed only at much lower temperatures by the emergence of strongly nonlinear transport. Below , charge conduction exhibits distinct depinning thresholds, sharp negative differential resistance, and unusually slow collective dynamics in the Hertz range. Direct measurements show that Joule heating is negligible, and all nonlinear signatures vanish upon only 3% Ir substitution for Ru, demonstrating the intrinsic origin. These results identify as a rare correlated system hosting a strongly pinned collective electronic mode intertwined with antiferromagnetism.