Imaging the Fano lattice to 'hidden order' transition in URu2Si2

A. R. Schmidt, M. H. Hamidian, Peter Wahl, F. Meier, A. V. Balatsky, J. D. Garrett, T. J. Williams, G. M. Luke, Seamus Davis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Within a Kondo lattice, the strong hybridization between electrons localized in real space (r-space) and those delocalized in momentum-space (k-space) generates exotic electronic states called 'heavy fermions'. In URu2Si2 these effects begin at temperatures around 55 K but they are suddenly altered by an unidentified electronic phase transition at T-o=17.5 K. Whether this is conventional ordering of the k-space states, or a change in the hybridization of the r-space states at each U atom, is unknown. Here we use spectroscopic imaging scanning tunnelling microscopy (SI-STM) to image the evolution of URu2Si2 electronic structure simultaneously in r-space and k-space. Above T-o, the 'Fano lattice' electronic structure predicted for Kondo screening of a magnetic lattice is revealed. Below T-o, a partial energy gap without any associated density-wave signatures emerges from this Fano lattice. Heavy-quasiparticle interference imaging within this gap reveals its cause as the rapid splitting below T-o of a light k-space band into two new heavy fermion bands. Thus, the URu2Si2 'hidden order' state emerges directly from the Fano lattice electronic structure and exhibits characteristics, not of a conventional density wave, but of sudden alterations in both the hybridization at each U atom and the associated heavy fermion states.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)570-576
Number of pages7
JournalNature
Volume465
Issue number7298
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Jun 2010

Keywords

  • HEAVY-FERMION COMPOUNDS
  • ELECTRON SUPERCONDUCTOR URU2SI2
  • QUASI-PARTICLE INTERFERENCE
  • POINT-CONTACT SPECTROSCOPY
  • MAGNETIC EXCITATIONS
  • SYSTEM URU2SI2
  • BI2SR2CACU2O8+DELTA
  • SURFACE
  • STATE
  • WAVE

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