Spin wave collapse and incommensurate fluctuations in URu₂Si₂

To test if the T(N) = 17.7 K transition in URu2Si2 is driven by a divergence of a magnetic order parameter we performed high-resolution neutron scattering. At the ordering wave vector the spin-wave energy collapsed. and the susceptibility diverged as T(N) was approached. This confirms that the order parameter is the magnetic dipole, as shown by recent symmetry arguments and polarized neutron experiments [1].

We also observe incommensurate fluctuations, suggesting that competing temperature-dependent interactions may influence this weak-moment transition.