Itinerancy and hidden order in URu₂Si₂

We argue that key characteristics of the enigmatic transition at T 0 = 17.5 K in URu 2 Si 2 indicate that the hidden order is a density wave formed within a band of composite quasiparticles, whose detailed structure is determined by local physics. We expand on our proposal (with Mydosh) of the hidden order as incommensurate orbital antiferromagnetism and present experimental predictions to test our ideas. We then turn towards a microscopic description of orbital antiferromagnetism, exploring possible particle–hole pairings within the context of a simple one-band model. We end with a discussion of recent high-field and thermal transport experiments, and discuss their implications for the nature of the hidden order.