Two-gap superconductivity in Mo8_{8}Ga41_{41} and its evolution upon the V substitution

Zero-field and transverse-field muon spin rotation/relaxation ($\mu$SR) experiments were undertaken in order to elucidate microscopic properties of a strongly-coupled superconductor Mo$_{8}$Ga$_{41}$ with $T_{\text{c}}=9.8$ K. The upper critical field extracted from the transverse-field $\mu$SR data exhibits significant reduction with respect to the data from thermodynamic measurements indicating the coexistence of two independent length scales in the superconducting state. Accordingly, the temperature-dependent magnetic penetration depth of Mo$_{8}$Ga$_{41}$ is described using the model, in which two s-wave superconducting gaps are assumed. The V for Mo substitution in the parent compound leads to the complete suppression of one superconducting gap, and Mo$_{7}$VGa$_{41}$ is well described within the single s-wave gap scenario. The reduction in the superfluid density and the evolution of the low-temperature resistivity upon the V substitution indicate the emergence of a competing state in Mo$_{7}$VGa$_{41}$ that may be responsible for the closure of one of the superconducting gaps

Tuning the structural instability of SrTiO_3 by Eu doping: The phase diagram of Sr_1-xEu_xTiO_3

The phase diagram of Sr_1-xEu_xTiO_3 is determined experimentally by electron paramagnetic resonance and resistivity measurements and analyzed theoretically within the self-consistent phonon approximation as a function of x ([0.03-1.0]). The transition temperature of the structural instability of the system increases nonlinearly to higher temperatures with increasing x. This is interpreted theoretically by a substantial alteration in the dynamics caused by a change in the double-well potential from broad and shallow to narrow and deep.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figure

Penetration depth and gap structure in the antiperovskite oxide superconductor Sr3−x_{3-x}SnO revealed by μ\muSR

We report a $\mu$SR study on the antiperovskite oxide superconductor Sr$_{3-x}$SnO. With transverse-field $\mu$SR, we observed the increase of the muon relaxation rate upon cooling below the superconducting transition temperature $T_{\mathrm{c}}=5.4$ K, evidencing bulk superconductivity. The exponential temperature dependence of the relaxation rate $\sigma$ at low temperatures suggests a fully gapped superconducting state. We evaluated the zero-temperature penetration depth $\lambda(0)\propto1/\sqrt{\sigma(0)}$ to be around 320-1020 nm. Such a large value is consistent with the picture of a doped Dirac semimetal. Moreover, we revealed that the ratio $T_{\mathrm{c}}/\lambda(0)^{-2}$ is larger than those of ordinary superconductors and is comparable to those of unconventional superconductors. The relatively high $T_{\mathrm{c}}$ for small carrier density may hint at an unconventional pairing mechanism beyond the ordinary phonon-mediated pairing. In addition, zero-field $\mu$SR did not provide evidence of broken time-reversal symmetry in the superconducting state. These features are consistent with the theoretically proposed topological superconducting state in Sr$_{3-x}$SnO, as well as with $s$-wave superconductivity.Comment: 9 pages, 9 figures, to be published in Physical Review

Short-range magnetic interactions and spin-glass behavior in the quasi-2D nickelate Pr4Ni3O8

The nickelate Pr4Ni3O8 features quasi-two-dimensional layers consisting of three stacked square-planar NiO2 planes, in a similar way to the well-known cuprate superconductors. The mixed-valent nature of Ni and its metallic properties makes it a candidate for potentially unconventional superconductivity. We have synthesized Pr4Ni3O8 by topotactic reduction of Pr4Ni3O10 in 10 percent hydrogen gas, and report on measurements of powder-neutron diffraction, magnetization and muon-spin rotation (uSR). We find that Pr4Ni3O8 shows complicated spin-glass behavior with a distinct magnetic memory effect in the temperature range from 2 to 300 K and a freezing temperature T_s ~ 68 K. Moreover, the analysis of uSR spectra indicates two magnetic processes characterized by remarkably different relaxation rates: a slowly-relaxing signal, resulting from paramagnetic fluctuations of Pr/Ni ions, and a fast-relaxing signal, whose relaxation rate increases substantially below ~ 70 K which can be ascribed to the presence of short-range correlated regions. We conclude that the complex spin-freezing process in Pr4Ni3O8 is governed by these multiple magnetic interactions. It is possible that the complex magnetism in Pr4Ni3O8 is detrimental to the occurrence of superconductivity

Pressure driven magnetic order in Sr 1-x Ca x Co 2 P 2

The magnetic phase diagram of Sr1-xCaxCo2P2 as a function of hydrostatic pressure and temperature is investigated by means of high pressure muon spin rotation, relaxation and resonance (μ+SR). The weak pressure dependence for the x≠ 1 compounds suggests that the rich phase diagram of Sr1-xCaxCo2P2 as a function of x at ambient pressure may not solely be attributed to chemical pressure effects. The x= 1 compound on the other hand reveals a high pressure dependence, where the long range magnetic order is fully suppressed at pc 2≈ 9.8 kbar, which seem to be a first order transition. In addition, an intermediate phase consisting of magnetic domains is formed above pc 1≈ 8 kbar where they co-exist with a magnetically disordered state. These domains are likely to be ferromagnetic islands (FMI) and consist of an high- (FMI-1) and low-temperature (FMI-2) region, respectively, separated by a phase boundary at Ti≈ 20 K. This kind of co-existence is unusual and is originating from a coupling between lattice and magnetic degrees of freedoms

Competing spin-glass and spin-fluctuation states in Ndx_xPr4−x_{4-x}Ni3_3O8_8

Neodymium nickelates have attracted research interest due to their strongly correlated behavior and remarkable magnetic properties. More importantly, superconductivity has recently been confirmed in thin-film samples of Sr-doped NdNiO$_2$, bringing the layered rare earth nickel oxides into the research spotlight. In this report, we present results on a series of NdNiO$_2$ analogs, Nd$_x$Pr$_{4−x}$Ni$_3$O$_8$ (x=0.1, 0.25, 1, 2, and 4) obtained by topotactic reduction, in which we observe systematic changes in the magnetic behavior. As the Nd$^{3+}$ content increases, the initially large spin-freezing region with magnetic frustration becomes smaller and gradually shifts to low temperatures, while the magnetic response gradually increases. The muon-spin spectroscopy measurements on Nd$_4$Ni$_3$O$_8$ show that this phenomenon is likely due to the enhancement of spin fluctuations in Nd$_x$Pr$_{4-x}$Ni$_3$O$_8$, which weakens the spin frustration behavior for high Nd$^{3+}$ contents and at low temperatures. These spin fluctuations can be caused by both Nd and Ni ions and could be one of the factors determining the occurrence of possible superconductivity

Competing spin-glass and spin-fluctuation states in NdxPr4-xNi3O8

Neodymium nickelates have attracted research interest due to their strongly correlated behaviour and remarkable magnetic properties. More importantly, superconductivity has recently been confirmed in thin-film samples of Sr-doped NdNiO2, bringing the layered rare earth nickel oxides into the research spotlight. In this report, we present results on a series of NdNiO2 analogues, NdxPr4-xNi3O8 (x = 0.1, 0.25, 1, 2, and 4) obtained by topotactic reduction, in which we observe systematic changes in the magnetic behaviour. As the Nd3+ content increases, the initially large spin-freezing region with magnetic frustration becomes smaller and gradually shifts to low temperatures, while the magnetic response gradually increases. The muon-spin spectroscopy measurements on Nd4Ni3O8 show that this phenomenon is likely due to the enhancement of spin fluctuations in NdxPr4-xNi3O8, which weakens the spin frustration behaviour for high Nd3+ contents and at low temperatures. These spin fluctuations can be caused by both Nd and Ni ions and could be one of the factors determining the occurrence of possible superconductivity.Comment: 21 pages 10 figure

Time reversal invariant single gap superconductivity with upper critical field larger than Pauli limit in NbIr2_2B2_2

Recently, compounds with noncentrosymmetric crystal structure have attracted much attention for providing a rich playground in search for unconventional superconductivity. NbIr$_2$B$_2$ is a new member to this class of materials harboring superconductivity below $T_{\rm c} = 7.3(2)$~K and very high upper critical field that exceeds Pauli limit. Here we report on muon spin rotation ($\mu$SR) experiments probing the temperature and field dependence of effective magnetic penetration depth in this compound. Our transverse-field -$\mu$SR results suggest a fully gaped $s$-wave superconductvity. Further, the estimated high value of upper critical field is also supplemented by high field transport measurements. Remarkably, the ratio $T_{\rm c}$/$\lambda^{-2}(0)$ obtained for NbIr$_2$B$_2$ ($\sim$2) is comparable to those of unconventional superconductors. Zero-field $\mu$SR data reveals no significant change in the muon spin relaxation rate above and below $T_{\rm c}$, evincing that time-reversal symmetry is preserved in the superconducting state. The presented results will stimulate theoretical investigations to obtain a microscopic understanding of the origin of superconductivity with preserved time reversal symmetry in this unique noncentrosymmetric system.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2101.0823