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Flux-line lattice distortion in PrOs4Sb12
A D Huxley1, M-A Measson, K Izawa
1DRFMC/SPSMS, CEA-Grenoble, 38054 Grenoble, France.
Physical Review Letters
|November 5, 2004
Summary
The flux-line lattice in Pr(Os4Sb12) superconductors is distorted at low temperatures. This distortion is attributed to gap nodes in the superconducting state of the material.
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Superconductivity research
Background:
- Pr(Os4Sb12) is a cubic superconductor exhibiting complex electronic properties.
- Understanding the nature of its superconducting state is crucial for materials science.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structure of the flux-line lattice in Pr(Os4Sb12) under specific conditions.
- To determine the underlying cause of any observed lattice distortions.
Main Methods:
- Experimental observation of the flux-line lattice.
- Low-temperature measurements in a small applied magnetic field.
Main Results:
- The flux-line lattice in Pr(Os4Sb12) is significantly distorted from a hexagonal structure.
- This distortion occurs at very low temperatures and in small applied fields.
Conclusions:
- The observed lattice distortion suggests the presence of gap nodes.
- Gap nodes are likely present on some Fermi-surface sheets in the superconducting state of Pr(Os4Sb12).
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