Evidence for superconductivity and a pseudogap in the new magnetic compound PrAg₆In₆

Direct evidence for superconductivity in the new magnetic compound PrAg₆In₆ is revealed for the first time. The distinct Andreev-reflection current is observed in metallic point contacts (PC) based on this compound. The data obtained provide reason enough to suggest that the rise of superconductivity strongly depends on the local magnetic order varying over the sample volume. The triangular-shaped PC spectra (dV/dI V ( )) in the vicinity of the zero-bias voltage suggest an unconventional type of superconducting pairing. As follows from the temperature and magnetic field dependences of the PC spectra, the superconducting energy gap structure transforms into the pseudogap one as the temperature or the magnetic field increases

Direct evidence for the occurrence of superconductivity in the magnetic compound YFe₄Al₈

For the first time we present the direct evidence for superconductivity in the ternary magnetic compound YFe₄Al₈ with the ThMn₁₂ type structure found via point-contact (PC) experiments on contacts between silver needle and single-crystal YFe₄Al₈, revealing the distinct Andreev-reflection current. The spectra measured prove the existence of normal-superconducting interface and exhibit the triangular-like shape in a vicinity of zero-bias voltage, inferring the unconventional type of superconductivity. The derived dependences of the order parameter versus temperature Δ(T) and m agnetic field Δ(H) are presented. Δ(T) follows BCS theory, whereas Δ(H) do not satisfy any theoretical predictions. In some cases there exists noticeable superconductivity enhancement by a weak magnetic field. The data obtained imply the v ery inhomogeneous distribution of superconductivity over the sample volume in spite of its single crystal structure. We assume that the reason is associated with inherent magnetic inhomogeneities of this material. The highest values for the critical temperature Tc, upper critical magnetic field Hc₂, and ratio 2Δ(0)/kTc are 7.4 K, 5 T, and 7.2, respectively

Andreev reflection study of the new magnetic superconductor M₃Sb₇: evidence for the gap anisotropy

We report the point-contact (PC) Andreev-reflection experiments on the new paramagnetic superconductor Mo₃Sb₇ for which we have observed strong distinctions in the PC spectra measured for different contact axis orientations. Analysis of the PC spectra in the framework of the Blonder—Tinkham—Klapwijk theory has shown that the gap parameter is strongly anisotropic varying over a very wide range depending on the contact orientation when the maximum max can exceed at least 40 times the minimum min. For these and other reasons we suggest that Mo₃Sb₇ is not a trivial BCS (s-wave) superconductor but rather has a (s+g )-wave or another unconventional pairing symmetry

Andreev reflection study of a new magnetic superconductor Mo3Sb7 in magnetic field

Andreev reflection in contacts based on a magnetic superconductorMo3Sb7in magnetic field has been investigated by the point-contact method. It is found that the behavior of the order parameter in the magnetic field Δ(H) is essentially dependent on the value of Δ, which varies widely (Δ(0,0) ≈ 0.01-0.31meV) for different contacts at practically invariant Tc. At high the dependence max(H)deviates slightly from the theoretical prediction applicable under the point-contact conditions. As the order parameter decreases, the deviation starts to increase and becomes very large when Δ approaches its minimum. Proceeding from the results obtained in this study and from the temperature measurements on Mo3Sb7performed formerly, we are inclined as before to assign the compound to the class of superconductors with anisotropic gap function. So, in no way can it be considered as conventional BCS-type superconductor. The upper critical field Hc2 ≈16.5 kOe found here is close to that obtained from magnetization measurements in another study. According to the estimation performed, the pair-breaking effect of the Pauli paramagnetism is rather weak in Mo3Sb7

Point-contact Andreev reflection spectroscopy of a magnetic superconductor Dy₀.₆Y₀.₄Rh₃.₈₅Ru₀.₁₅B₄

The Andreev reflection spectra dI/dV(V) of the magnetic superconductor Dy₀.6Y₀.₄Rh₃.₈₅Ru₀.₁₅B₄ have been investigated. Pronounced stimulation of superconductivity by an external magnetic field has been observed for the first time. The effect showed up as enhancement of the gap structure (and hence the gap itself) in the spectra and its shift towards higher voltages with an increasing field. In the intermediate fields the structure also behaved strangely: instead of the usual smooth decrease with a grooving field, the gap features dropped abruptly near the critical point Hc₂. Of interest is also the abnormally high relative gap value 2∆/kBTc ≈ 4 (as compared to conventional singlet superconductors) which was found for some contacts from a comparison of experimental spectra and the modified Blonder–Tinkham–Klapwiyk theory. We attribute the features revealed in the point-contact spectroscopic investigations of Dy₀.6Y₀.₄Rh₃.₈₅Ru₀.₁₅B₄ in a magnetic field to the triplet-type Cooper pairing in the compound because only in this case one can expect the stimulation of superconductivity in the stationary magnetic fields up to ~ 0.7Hc₂.The Andreev reflection spectra dI/dV(V) of the magnetic superconductor Dy₀.₆Y₀.₄Rh₃.₈₅Ru₀.₁₅B₄ have been investigated. Pronounced stimulation of superconductivity by an external magnetic field has been observed for the first time. The effect showed up as enhancement of the gap structure (and hence the gap itself) in the spectra and its shift towards higher voltages with an increasing field. In the intermediate fields the structure also behaved strangely: instead of the usual smooth decrease with a grooving field, the gap features dropped abruptly near the critical point Hc₂. Of interest is also the abnormally high relative gap value 2∆/kBTc ≈ 4 (as compared to conventional singlet superconductors) which was found for some contacts from a comparison of experimental spectra and the modified Blonder–Tinkham–Klapwiyk theory. We attribute the features revealed in the point-contact spectroscopic investigations of Dy₀.₆Y₀.₄Rh₃.₈₅Ru₀.₁₅B₄ in a magnetic field to the triplet-type Cooper pairing in the compound because only in this case one can expect the stimulation of superconductivity in the stationary magnetic fields up to ~ 0.7Hc₂

Point-contact spectroscopy of the nickel borocarbide superconductor YNi2B2C in the normal and superconducting state

Point-contact (PC) spectroscopy measurements of YNi2B2C single crystals in the normal and superconducting (SC) state (T_c=15.4K) for the main crystallographic directions are reported. The PC study reveals the electron-phonon interaction (EPI) spectral function with dominant phonon maximum around 12 meV and further weak structures (hump or kink) at higher energy at about 50 meV. No "soft" modes below 12 meV are resolved in the normal state. The PC EPI spectra are qualitatively similar for the different directions. Contrary, directional study of the SC gap results in \Delta_[100]=1.5 meV for the a direction and \Delta_[001]=2.3 meV along the c axis; however the critical temperature T_c in PC in all cases is near to that in the bulk sample. The value 2\Delta_[001]/kT_c=3.6 is close to the BCS value of 3.52, and the temperature dependence \Delta_[001](T) is BCS-like, while the for small gap \Delta_[100](T) is below BCS behavior at T>T_c/2 similarly as in the two-gap superconductor MgB2. It is supposed that the directional variation \Delta can be attributed to a multiband nature of the SC state in YNi2B2C.Comment: 9 pages, 10 figures, to be published in a special issue of J. Low Temp. Phys. in honour of Prof. H. von Loehneyse

Andreev reflection spectroscopy of the new Fe-based superconductor EuAsFeO₀.₈₅F₀.₁₅: evidence for the strong order parameter anisotropy

Andreev reflection spectra have been measured in a new superconductor EuAsFeO₀.₈₅F₀.₁₅ having an unexpectedly low superconducting transition temperature Tc≈11.3 K among related FeAs compounds on a base Sm and Gd surrounding Eu in the series of lanthanides. The nearly fivefold lower Tc, as against the expected value, is attributed to the divalent properties of Eu ions when in the compound investigated along with the weakly magnetic Eu³⁺ ions may be present and the strongly magnetic Eu²⁺ ones that is a strong destructive factor for superconductivity. Most of the spectra measured showed features that corresponds to two energy gaps whose values varied from contact to contact within 2Δ s/kTc = 2.2–4.7 and 2Δ1/kTc = 5.1–11.7 for small and large gap, respectively. The corresponding variations for single-gap spectra are 2Δ/kTc = 2.6–6.4. The relatively large size of crystallites (no less than ~25 µm) and the large number of contacts measured (several tens) suggest with a high degree of probability that the spectra obtained account quite fully for the gap distribution practically in all crystallographic directions. The data obtained and the absence of zero gaps in the measured spectra evidence in favor of the anisotropic s- or s±-symmetry of the order parameter in EuAsFeO₀.₈₅F₀.₁₅ that was revealed in other similar compounds with higher Tc. Thus, the character of the gap function Δ(k) in this compound is inconsistent with the d-wave superconductivity observed in some low-Tc pnictides

Superconducting and magnetic properties of a new EuAsFeO₀,₈₅F₀,₁₅ superconductor

Polycrystalline samples of a new superconducting EuAsFeO₀,₈₅F₀,₁₅ compound with critical temperature Tc = 11 K were prepared by solid state synthesis. Its electric and magnetic properties have been investigated in magnetic fields from 0.1 to 140000 Oe. Critical magnetic fields Hc1, and Hc2 were measured and hence the magnetic penetration depths l and the coherence length x have been estimated. The temperature dependence Hc2(T) exhibits clear hyperbolic – type behavior starting with the lowest fields. The data derived were used to estimate probable high Tc and Hc2 in compounds doped with rare-earths having small atomic radii