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Anomalous spin distribution in the superconducting ferromagnet UCoGe studied by polarized neutron diffraction

K. Prokeš, A. de Visser, Y. K. Huang, B. Fåk, and E. Ressouche
Phys. Rev. B 81, 180407(R) – Published 26 May 2010

Abstract

We report a polarized neutron-diffraction study conducted to reveal the nature of the weak ferromagnetic moment in the superconducting ferromagnet UCoGe. We find that the ordered moment in the normal phase in low magnetic fields (Bc) is predominantly located at the U atom and has a magnitude of 0.1μB at 3 T, in agreement with bulk magnetization data. By increasing the magnetic field the U moment grows to 0.3μB in 12 T and most remarkably, induces a substantial moment (0.2μB) on the Co atom directed antiparallel to the U moment. The anomalous polarizability of the Co3d orbitals is unique among uranium intermetallics and might reflect the proximity to a magnetic quantum critical point of UCoGe in zero field.

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  • Received 7 May 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.81.180407

©2010 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

K. Prokeš1,*, A. de Visser2, Y. K. Huang2, B. Fåk3, and E. Ressouche3

  • 1Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energy, Hahn-Meitner Platz 1, D-14109 Berlin, Germany
  • 2Van der Waals-Zeeman Institute, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Valckenierstraat 65, 1018 XE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • 3INAC, SPSMS, Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, 38054 Grenoble, France

  • *prokes@helmholtz-berlin.de

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Issue

Vol. 81, Iss. 18 — 1 May 2010

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