Speaker: Priscila Rosa (LANL)

Title:Puzzling over the superconducting order parameter of UTe2

Abstract: 
Spin-triplet superconductors are a promising route in the search for topological superconductivity, and UTe2 is a recently discovered contender. In this talk, I will first present recent insights into UTe2 from ac calorimetry, electrical resistivity, and x-ray absorption measurements under applied pressure, which reveal that UTe2 is a mixed valence compound in proximity to an antiferromagnetic quantum critical point.  I will then present the argument for a multi-component topological superconducting state followed by new constraints from thermal expansion measurements. At the end of the talk, I hope to highlight some of the pressing outstanding open questions regarding the superconducting order parameter of UTe2.

Brief bio of speaker: 
Priscila Rosa received her PhD in physics in 2013 from the University of Campinas, Brazil. She then joined the University of California at Irvine as a postdoctoral researcher. In 2015, she was awarded a Director’s postdoctoral Fellowship at Los Alamos National Laboratory before becoming a staff scientist in 2016. Her main research interest is the synthesis and characterization of strongly correlated quantum materials that exhibit emergent phenomena, such as unconventional superconductivity, electronic nematicity, complex magnetism, and non-trivial topology. Priscila has coauthored over 95 peer-reviewed articles as well as one patent and two book chapters. At Los Alamos, her research further focuses on the application of extreme conditions (high pressure, high magnetic field, and low temperatures) to tune novel materials towards desired functionality.