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Muon spin relaxation and isotropic pairing in superconducting PrOs4Sb12
D E MacLaughlin1, J E Sonier, R H Heffner
1Department of Physics, University of California, Riverside 92521-0413, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|October 9, 2002
Summary
Measurements reveal heavy-fermion superconductor PrOs4Sb12 has an isotropic energy gap, suggesting isotropic pairing symmetry. This unique characteristic may stem from a novel quadrupolar Kondo mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Superconductivity Research
- Quantum Materials
Background:
- Heavy-fermion (HF) superconductors exhibit complex electronic behaviors.
- Understanding the pairing symmetry in HF superconductors is crucial for uncovering novel quantum phenomena.
- PrOs4Sb12 is a unique HF superconductor with potential for novel electronic mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the superconducting properties of PrOs4Sb12.
- To determine the symmetry of the superconducting energy gap.
- To explore the underlying mechanism responsible for superconductivity in PrOs4Sb12.
Main Methods:
- Utilized transverse-field muon-spin rotation (TF-µSR) spectroscopy.
- Measured the temperature dependence of the magnetic penetration depth (λ).
- Analyzed the vortex-lattice response in PrOs4Sb12.
Main Results:
- Observed a temperature dependence of λ indicative of an isotropic or nearly isotropic energy gap.
- This isotropic gap is a unique feature not observed in other HF superconductors.
- Calculated a T=0 relaxation rate σs(0) = 0.91(1) µs⁻¹, yielding λ(0) = 3440(20) Å.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest isotropic pairing symmetry in PrOs4Sb12.
- This points towards a potential novel nonmagnetic quadrupolar Kondo mechanism.
- The shorter magnetic penetration depth compared to other HF superconductors warrants further investigation.
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