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Magnetic-Field-Induced Superconductivity in Ultrathin Pb Films with Magnetic Impurities
Masato Niwata1, Ryuichi Masutomi1, Tohru Okamoto1
1Department of Physics, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
Physical Review Letters
|January 6, 2018
Summary
Superconductivity in thin lead films is enhanced by combining magnetic fields and impurity moments. Even suppressed superconductivity can be restored and improved under specific magnetic field conditions.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Surface Science
Background:
- External magnetic fields and impurity magnetic moments typically suppress superconductivity.
- Understanding the interplay of these factors is crucial for novel superconducting materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combined effect of magnetic fields and impurity moments on the superconductivity of few-atomic-layer Pb films.
- To explore the enhancement of superconductivity in Pb films grown on GaAs(110) under specific conditions.
Main Methods:
- Growth of few-atomic-layer Pb films on a cleaved GaAs(110) surface.
- Introduction of magnetic impurities (Ce, Mn) and application of external magnetic fields.
- Measurement of superconducting properties, including transition temperature and field dependence.
Main Results:
- Combined effects of magnetic fields and impurities enhance superconductivity in Pb films.
- Ce-doped films show restored superconductivity in an applied magnetic field.
- Kondo screening in Mn-adatom films can be tuned by capping layers, affecting superconducting properties.
Conclusions:
- The interplay between external magnetic fields and impurity magnetic moments can lead to enhanced superconductivity in ultrathin films.
- This phenomenon offers new avenues for controlling and utilizing superconductivity in nanoscale materials.
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