Spin density wave and superconducting properties of nanoparticle organic conductor assemblies

Under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 3.0 (CC-BY).-- et al.The magnetic susceptibilities of nanoparticle assemblies of two Bechgaard salts (TMTSF)2PF6 and (TMTSF)2ClO4, have been studied vs temperature and magnetic field. In the bulk these materials exhibit a spin density wave formation (TSDW=12K) and superconductivity (Tc=1.2K), respectively. We show from inductive (susceptibility) measurements that the nanoparticle assemblies exhibit ground-state phase transitions similar to those of randomly oriented polycrystalline samples of the parent materials. Resistivity and diamagnetic shielding measurements yield additional information on the functional nanoparticle structure in terms of stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric composition.This work was supported by NSF-DMR Grants No. 1005293 and No. 1309146, and the NHMFL is supported by NSF Cooperative Agreement No. DMR-1157490, the State of Florida, and the U.S. Department of Energy. I.C. thanks the French Ministére de l’Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche (MESR) for a Ph.D. grant.Peer Reviewe

Superconducting phase diagram and FFLO signature in λ\lambda-(BETS)2_2GaCl4_4 from rf penetration depth measurements

We report the phase diagram of $\lambda$-(BETS)$_2$GaCl$_4$ from rf penetration depth measurements with a tunnel diode oscillator in a pulsed magnetic field. We examined four samples with 1100 field sweeps in a range of angles with the magnetic field parallel and perpendicular to the conducting planes. In the parallel direction, $H_{c2}$ appears to include a tricritical point at 1.6 K and 10 T with a phase line that increases to 11 T as the temperature is decreased to} 500 mK. The second phase line forms a clearly defined high field low temperature region satisfying several of the conditions of the Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) state. We show remarkably good fits of $H_{c2}$ to WHH in the reentrant $\alpha>1$, $\lambda_{so}=0$ regime. We also note a sharp angle dependence of the phase diagram about the field parallel orientation that characterizes Pauli paramagnetic limiting and further supports the possibility of FFLO behavior. Unrelated to the FFLO study, at fields and temperatures below $H_{c2}$ and $T_c$, we find rich structure in the penetration depth data that we attribute to impurities at the surface altering the superconducting properties while maintaining the same crystallographic axes as $H_{c2}$.Comment: Fina

Spin density wave and superconducting properties of nanoparticle organic conductor assemblies

The magnetic susceptibilities of nanoparticle assemblies of two Bechgaard salts (TMTSF)2PF6 and (TMTSF)2ClO4, have been studied vs temperature and magnetic field. In the bulk these materials exhibit a spin density wave formation (TSDW=12K) and superconductivity (Tc=1.2K), respectively. We show from inductive (susceptibility) measurements that the nanoparticle assemblies exhibit ground-state phase transitions similar to those of randomly oriented polycrystalline samples of the parent materials. Resistivity and diamagnetic shielding measurements yield additional information on the functional nanoparticle structure in terms of stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric composition

Four Molecular Superconductors Isolated as Nanoparticles

(TMTSF)2PF6 and (TMTSF)2ClO4 Bechgaard salts, (BEDT‐TTF)2I3, and TTF[Ni(dmit)2]2 [TMTSF = tetramethyltetraselenafulvalene; BEDT‐TTF = bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene; TTF = tetrathiafulvalene; dmit = 1,3‐dithiole‐2‐thione‐4,5‐dithiolate] are among the most popular molecular superconductors. They are grown as nanoparticles that exhibit properties in agreement with those of the bulk. The shape, size, and homogeneity of particles depend on the stabilizing agent and synthesis conditions. We report on the more recent conditions investigated (i) to produce nanoparticles of 35 nm for β‐(BEDT‐TTF)2I3, (ii) to reduce the particle size to 10–15 nm for TTF[Ni(dmit)2]2 and 3–5 nm for (TMTSF)2ClO4, and (iii) to improve the growth duration from days to one hour for (TMTSF)2PF6. Finally, we report evidence of superconductivity in (TMTSF)2ClO4 particles

Spatial control of heavy-fermion superconductivity in CeIrIn5

M.D.B. acknowledges studentship funding from EPSRC under grant EP/I007002/1.Although crystals of strongly correlated metals exhibit a diverse set of electronic ground states, few approaches exist for spatially modulating their properties. In this study, we demonstrate disorder-free control, on the micrometer scale, over the superconducting state in samples of the heavy-fermion superconductor CeIrIn5. We pattern crystals by focused ion beam milling to tailor the boundary conditions for the elastic deformation upon thermal contraction during cooling. The resulting nonuniform strain fields induce complex patterns of superconductivity, owing to the strong dependence of the transition temperature on the strength and direction of strain. These results showcase a generic approach to manipulating electronic order on micrometer length scales in strongly correlated matter without compromising the cleanliness, stoichiometry, or mean free path.PostprintPeer reviewe