Recent results on Condon domains in metals

Abstract Recent progress in spectroscopy of the Condon domain phase in metals, in particular in beryllium and white tin, is reviewed. The observed variation of domain magnetizations with temperature and applied magnetic field is consistent with the theory, though understanding of the phase diagram in the case of Be requires a generalized form of the Lifshitz–Kosevich formula. For tin, two domain-generating de Haas–van Alphen modes were seen in overlapping field regions. Besides in Be, Sn and Ag, Condon domains are expected to appear in pure single crystals of all sp metals and quasi-2D conductors. To complement spectroscopy, techniques suited for studying the spatial structure of the Condon state have to be developed.