La₂Pd₂In: superconductivity and lattice properties at ambient and elevated pressures

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Materials Science
• Solid-State Chemistry

Background:

• Investigating intermetallic compounds like La2Pd2In provides insights into structure-property relationships.
• Understanding lattice and electronic behaviors under pressure is crucial for materials design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the lattice and electronic properties of La2Pd2In, focusing on atomic coordination effects without magnetic influence.
• To explore the material's behavior under hydrostatic pressure and varying temperatures.

Main Methods:

• Temperature-dependent measurements of lattice parameters, heat capacity, and electrical resistivity.
• Hydrostatic pressure studies to determine compressibility and bulk modulus.
• First-principles electronic-structure calculations using density-functional theory.

Main Results:

• La2Pd2In exhibits anisotropic compressibility, with greater compression in the basal plane.
• Superconducting state observed below 0.59 K, confirmed by specific heat and AC magnetic susceptibility.
• Measured Sommerfeld coefficient suggests weak electronic correlations, consistent with theoretical calculations.

Conclusions:

• The lattice properties are influenced by the degrees of freedom of La atoms.
• La2Pd2In is a superconductor with weak electronic correlations, as supported by experimental and theoretical findings.