effects of rattling phonons on the dynamics of quasiparticle excitation in the beta-pyrochlore KOs(2)O(6) Superconductor

Characteristics of the s–Wave Symmetry Superconducting State in the BaGe3 Compound

Thermodynamic properties of the s–wave symmetry superconducting phase in three selected structures of the BaGe 3 compound ( P 6 3 / m m c , A m m 2 , and I 4 / m m m ) were discussed in the context of DFT results obtained for the Eliashberg function. This compound may enable the implementation of systems for quantum information processing. Calculations were carried out within the Eliashberg formalism due to the fact that the electron–phonon coupling constant falls within the range λ ∈ 0 . 73 , 0 . 86 . The value of the Coulomb pseudopotential was assumed to be 0 . 122 , in accordance with the experimental results. The value of the Coulomb pseudopotential was assumed to be 0 . 122 , in accordance with the experimental results. The existence of the superconducting state of three different critical temperature values, namely, 4 . 0 K, 4 . 5 K and 5 . 5 K, depending on the considered structure, was stated. We determined the differences in free energy ( Δ F ) and specific heat ( Δ C ) between the normal and the superconducting states, as well as the thermodynamic critical field ( H c ) as a function of temperature. A drop in the H c value to zero at the temperature of 4.0 K was observed for the P 6 3 / m m c structure, which is in good accordance with the experimental data. Further, the values of the dimensionless thermodynamic parameters of the superconducting state were estimated as: R Δ = 2 Δ ( 0 ) / k B T c ∈ { 3 . 68 , 3 . 8 , 3 . 8 } , R C = Δ C ( T c ) / C N ( T c ) ∈ { 1 . 55 , 1 . 71 , 1 . 75 } , and R H = T c C N ( T c ) / H c 2 ( 0 ) ∈ { 0 . 168 , 0 . 16 , 0 . 158 } , which are slightly different from the predictions of the Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer theory ( [ R Δ ] B C S = 3 . 53 , [ R C ] B C S = 1 . 43 , and [ R H ] B C S = 0 . 168 ). This is caused by the occurrence of small retardation and strong coupling effects.

Novel rattling of K atoms in aluminium-doped defect pyrochlore tungstate

Rattling dynamics have been identified as fundamental to superconductivity in defect pyrochlore osmates and aluminium vanadium intermetallics, as well as low thermal conductivity in clathrates and filled skutterudites. Combining inelastic neutron scattering (INS) measurements and ab initio molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we use a new approach to investigate rattling in the Al-doped defect pyrochlore tungstates: AAl0.33W1.67O6 (A = K, Rb, Cs). We find that although all the alkali metals rattle, the rattling of the K atoms is unique, not only among the tungstates but also among the analogous defect osmates, KOs2O6 and RbOs2O6. Detailed analysis of the MD trajectories reveals that two unique features set the K dynamics apart from the rest, namely, (1) quasi one-dimensional local diffusion within a cage, and (2) vibration at a range of frequencies. The local diffusion is driven by strongly anharmonic local potentials around the K atoms exhibiting a double-well structure in the direction of maximum displacement, which is also the direction of local diffusion. On the other hand, vibration at a range of frequencies is a consequence of the strong anisotropy in the local potentials around the K atoms as revealed by directional magnitude spectra. We present evidence to show that it is the smaller size rather than the smaller mass of the K rattler which leads to the unusual dynamics. Finally, we suggest that the occurrence of local diffusion and vibration at a range of frequencies in the dynamics of a single rattler, as found here for the K atoms, may open new possibilities for phonon engineering in thermoelectric materials.

Electron-phonon interactions of Si100 and Ge100 superconductors with Ba atoms inside

The absolute density of states of isostructural Ba24Si100 and Ba24Ge100 near the Fermi level, which is very relevant for discussion on phonon-mediated superconductivity, is quantitatively evaluated to be 0.28  states  eV⁻¹/Ge  atom and 0.18  states  eV⁻¹/Si   atom by combining soft x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The energetics of the anharmonic motions of the endohedral Ba atoms are also discussed on the basis of the 4d-core-level spectra. The discussion based on these important physical parameters concludes that the unique electron-phonon interactions do not occur due to the local Jahn-Teller distortion of the fragile open cage structure in the phonon-mediated BCS formalism. Compounds with a rigid cage would be essential to give rise to anticipated unique interactions as a key ingredient favored for superconducting paring.

Microwave surface-impedance measurements of the magnetic penetration depth in single crystal Ba1-xKxFe2As2 superconductors: evidence for a disorder-dependent superfluid density

We report high-sensitivity microwave measurements of the in-plane penetration depth lambda_{ab} and quasiparticle scattering rate 1/tau in several single crystals of the hole-doped Fe-based superconductor Ba(1-x)K(x)Fe(2)As(2) (x approximately 0.55). While a power-law temperature dependence of lambda_{ab} with a power approximately 2 is found in crystals with large 1/tau, we observe an exponential temperature dependence of the superfluid density consistent with the existence of fully opened two gaps in the cleanest crystal we studied. The difference may be a consequence of different levels of disorder inherent in the crystals. We also find a linear relation between the low-temperature scattering rate and the density of quasiparticles, which shows a clear contrast to the case of d-wave cuprate superconductors with nodes in the gap. These results demonstrate intrinsically nodeless order parameters in the Fe arsenides.

Microwave penetration depth and quasiparticle conductivity of PrFeAsO1-y single crystals: evidence for a full-gap superconductor

In-plane microwave penetration depth lambda_{ab} and quasiparticle conductivity at 28 GHz are measured in underdoped single crystals of the Fe-based superconductor PrFeAsO_{1-y} (T_{c} approximately 35 K) by using a sensitive superconducting cavity resonator. lambda_{ab}(T) shows flat dependence at low temperatures, which is incompatible with the presence of nodes in the superconducting gap Delta(k). The temperature dependence of the superfluid density demonstrates that the gap is nonzero (Delta/k_{B}T_{c} greater, similar1.6) all over the Fermi surface. The microwave conductivity below T_{c} exhibits an enhancement larger than the coherence peak, reminiscent of high-T_{c} cuprate superconductors.

Vortex redistribution below the first-order transition temperature in the beta-pyrochlore superconductor KOs2O6

A miniature Hall-sensor array was used to detect magnetic induction locally in the vortex states of the beta-pyrochlore superconductor KOs2O6. Below the first-order transition at T{p} approximately 8 K, which is associated with a change in the rattling motion of K ions, the lower critical field and the remanent magnetization both show a distinct decrease, suggesting that the electron-phonon coupling is weakened below the transition. At high magnetic fields, the local induction shows an unexpectedly large jump at T{p} whose sign changes with position inside the sample. Our results demonstrate a novel redistribution of vortices whose energy is reduced abruptly below the first-order transition at T{p}.