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Published on: March 24, 2019
Heavy holes as a precursor to superconductivity in antiferromagnetic CeIn3
Suchitra E Sebastian1, N Harrison, C D Batista
1Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom. ses59@cam.ac.uk
Summary
Researchers uncovered heavy hole pockets of f-character in CeIn3, revealing a novel electronic structure that may explain unconventional superconductivity emerging from antiferromagnetism.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Quantum Materials
Background:
- Unconventional superconductivity in f- and d-electron systems is poorly understood.
- The transition from large moment antiferromagnetism to superconductivity lacks microscopic explanation.
- Understanding Cooper pair origins in momentum space is key to elucidating pairing mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the electronic structure of ambient pressure CeIn3.
- To identify the origin of superconductivity in f-electron systems.
- To explore parallels between CeIn3 and high-temperature superconductors.
Main Methods:
- Ambient pressure quantum oscillation measurements.
- Analysis of electronic structure and Fermi surface.
- Investigation of quasiparticle excitations.
Main Results:
- Identified heavy hole pockets with significant f-electron character in CeIn3.
- Observed an unexpected effective mass divergence before the antiferromagnetic critical field.
- Revealed softening of quasiparticle excitations away from the quantum critical point.
Conclusions:
- The electronic structure of CeIn3 is potentially similar to high-temperature superconductors.
- Dispersive f-electrons on the Fermi surface may explain Cooper pair emergence in strong moment antiferromagnets.
- This finding offers new insights into the interplay of magnetism and superconductivity.
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