We compute the topological phase diagram of 2D tetragonal superconductors for the only possible nodeless pairing channels compatible with that crystal symmetry. Subject to a Zeeman field and spin-orbit coupling, we demonstrate that these superconductors show surprising topological features: non-trivial high Chern numbers, massive edge states, and zero-energy modes out of high symmetry points, even though the edge states remain topologically protected. Interestingly, one of these pairing symmetries, $d+id$, has been proposed to describe materials such as water-intercalated sodium cobaltates, bilayer silicene or highly doped monolayer graphene, which opens the way for further applications of our results.
We propose a mechanism of nodeless d-wave superconductivity in a quasi-one-dimensional organic superconductor under anion order. It is shown that split of the Fermi surfaces due to the anion order eliminates the line nodes of a d-wave gap function on the Fermi surfaces, and a small finite energy gap appears in the quasi-particle excitations of superconductivity. We discuss that temperature dependences of thermal conductivity and NMR relaxation rate observed in a quasi-one-dimensional organic superconductor (TMTSF)2ClO4 can be explained consistently by the small energy gap.
In BiS$_2$-based layered superconductors,the existence of gap nodes on Fermi-surface curves has been suggested from angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements, whereas the conventional $s$-wave gap has been proposed from measurements of superfluid density and thermal conductivity. To reconcile these two distinct experimental results of the gap node, we investigate nonmagnetic impurity effects in the superconductor with a disconnected pocketlike Fermi-surface structure. Then, we claim that the seemingly contradictory situation concerning the gap node is resolved by a concept of dirt…
We report on measurements of the in-plane magnetic penetration depth λ_{ab} in the infinite-layer electron-doped high-temperature cuprate superconductor Sr_0.9La_0.1CuO_2 by means of muon-spin rotation. The observed temperature and magnetic field dependences of λ_{ab} are consistent with the presence of a substantial s-wave component in the superconducting order parameter in good agreement with the results of tunneling, specific heat, and small-angle neutron scattering experiments.
High-precision measurements of magnetic penetration depth $λ$ in clean single crystals of LiFeAs and LiFeP superconductors reveal contrasting low-energy quasiparticle excitations. In LiFeAs the low-temperature $λ(T)$ shows a flat dependence indicative of a fully gapped state, which is consistent with previous studies. In contrast, LiFeP exhibits a $T$-linear dependence of superfluid density $\propto λ^{-2}$, indicating a nodal superconducting order parameter. A systematic comparison of quasiparticle excitations in the 1111, 122, and 111 families of iron-pnictide superconductors implies that th…
We report muon spin rotation ($μ$SR) experiments on the microscopic properties of superconductivity and magnetism in the kagome superconductor CeRu$_{2}$ with $T_{\rm c}$~${\simeq}$~5~K. From the measurements of the temperature-dependent magnetic penetration depth $λ$, the superconducting order parameter exhibits nodeless pairing, which fits best to an anisotropic $s$-wave gap symmetry. We further show that the $T_{\rm c}$/$λ^{-2}$ ratio is comparable to that of unconventional superconductors. Furthermore, the powerful combination of zero-field (ZF)-$μ$SR and high-field $μ$SR has been used to …
The symmetry of the order parameter in iron-based superconductors, especially the presence or absence of nodes, is still a question of debate. While contradictory experiments can be explained by appropriately tuned theories of nodeless superconductivity in the iron-arsenide compounds, for LaOFeP all experiments clearly point to a nodal order parameter. We put forward a scenario that naturally explains the difference between the order-parameter character in these two sets of compounds, and use functional renormalization group (fRG) techniques to analyze it in detail. Our results show that, due …
We propose a simple way to parameterize the gap function in iron pnictides. The key idea is to use orbital representation, not band representation, and to assume real-space short-range pairing. Our parameterization reproduces fairly well the structure of gap function obtained in microscopic calculation. At the same time the present parameterization is simple enough to obtain an intuitive picture and to develop a phenomenological theory. We also discuss simplification of the treatment of the superconducting state.
Low-temperature thermal conductivity measurements were performed on single crystal of PbTaSe$_2$, a noncentrosymmetric superconductor with topological bulk nodal lines in the electronic band structure. It is found that the residual linear term $κ_0/T$ is negligible in zero magnetic field. Furthermore, the field dependence of $κ_0/T$ exhibits a clear "$S$"-shape curve. These results suggest that PbTaSe$_2$ has multiple nodeless superconducting gaps. Therefore, the spin-triplet state with gap nodes does not play an important role in this noncentrosymmetric superconductor with strong spin-orbital…
High-pressure synthesis techniques have allowed for the growth of Sn$_{1-x}$In$_x$Te samples beyond the ambient In-saturation limit of $x$ = 0.5 (T$_c \sim$ 4.5 K). In this study, we present measurements of the temperature dependence of the London penetration depth $Δλ(T)$ in this superconducting doped topological insulator for $x$ = 0.7, where T$_{c,onset}\approx 5$ K. The results indicate fully gapped BCS-like behavior, ruling out odd-parity $A_{2u}$ pairing; however, odd-parity $A_{1u}$ pairing is still possible. Critical field values measured below 1 K and other superconducting parameters …
Noncentrosymmetric superconductors can lead to a variety of exotic properties in the superconducting state such as line nodes, multigap behavior, and time-reversal symmetry breaking. In this paper, we report the properties of the new noncentrosymmetric superconductor TaOs, using muon spin relaxation and rotation measurements. It is shown using the zero-field muon experiment that TaOs preserve the time-reversal symmetry in the superconducting state. From the transverse field muon measurements, we extract the temperature dependence of $λ(T)$ which is proportional to the superfluid density. This …
We report detailed Seebeck coefficient, Hall resistivity as well as specific heat measurement on Ca$_3$Ir$_4$Sn$_{13}$ single crystals. The Seebeck coefficient exhibits a peak corresponding to the anomaly in resistivity at $T^*$, and the carrier density is suppressed significantly below $T^*$. This indicates a significant Fermi surface reconstruction and the opening of the charge density wave gap at the supperlattice transition. The magnetic field induced enhancement of the residual specific heat coefficient $γ(H)$ exhibits a nearly linear dependence on magnetic field, indicating a nodeless ga…
The coexisting regime of spin density wave (SDW) and superconductivity in the iron pnictides represents a novel ground state. We have performed high resolution angle-resolved photoemission measurements on NaFe1-xCoxAs (x = 0.0175) in this regime and revealed its distinctive electronic structure, which provides some microscopic understandings of its behavior. The SDW signature and the superconducting gap are observed on the same bands, illustrating the intrinsic nature of the coexistence. However, because the SDW and superconductivity are manifested in different parts of the band structure, the…
We measured the resistivity, diamagnetization and low temperature specific heat of the newly discovered noncentrosymmetric superconductor $Mg_{10}Ir_{19}B_{16}$. It is found that the superconducting gap has an s-wave symmetry with a value of about $Δ_0 \approx$ 0.6 meV, and the ratio $Δ_0/k_BT_c\approx1.86$ indicates a weak coupling for the superconductivity. The correlations among the normal state Sommerfeld constant $γ_n$, the slope $-dμ_0H_{c2}(T)/dT$ near Tc and the condensation energy Ec are all consistent with the weak coupling picture. The separated phonon contribution from the specific…
We measured the resistivity, diamagnetization, and low-temperature specific heat of the newly discovered noncentrosymmetric superconductor Mg_(12-delta)Ir_19B_16. The temperature dependence of specific heat is consistent with the model of an isotropic s-wave gap with value Delta_0 = 0.94 meV for the sample Tc = 5.7 K, and the ratio Delta_0/k_BTc = 1.91 indicates a slightly moderate coupling for the superconductivity. The correlations among the normal state Sommerfeld constant gamma_n, the slope -dHc2(T)/dT near Tc, and the condensation energy Ec are all consistent with the slightly moderate co…
The intricate interplay of interactions and Fermiology can give rise to a close competition between nodeless (e.g. s-wave) and nodal (e.g. d-wave) order in electronically driven unconventional superconductors. We analyze how such a scenario is affected by a Zeeman magnetic field $H_{\text{Z}}$ and temperature $T$. In the neighborhood of a zero temperature first order critical point separating a nodal from a nodeless phase, the phase boundary at low $H_{\text{Z}}$ and/or low $T$ has a universal line shape cubic in $H_{\text{Z}}$ or $T$, such that the nodal state is stabilized at the expense of …
We discuss the sign change of superconducting order parameters in both real and reciprocal spaces when the odd parity spin singlet pairing proposed recently in\cite{huoddparity} is allowed. We show that in this case an nodeless anti-phase $s^\pm$ can be generated. In a 2-Fe Brilliouin zone (BZ), sign change exists between two hole pockets and between two electron pockets. In a 1-Fe BZ which includes two 2-Fe BZs, the sign change is between two 2-Fe BZs, which leads to a d-wave type sign distribution on the electron pockets, namely, an anti-phase $s^\pm$ state with no symmetry protected gapless…
A newly discovered family of the Fe-based superconductors is isostructural with the so-called 122 family of Fe pnictides, but has a qualitatively different doping state. Early experiments indicate that superconductivity is nodeless, yet prerequisites for the $s_\pm$ nodeless state (generally believed to be realized in Fe superconductors) are missing. It is tempting to assign a $d-$ wave symmetry to the new materials, and it does seem at first glance that such a state may be nodeless. Yet a more careful analysis shows that it is not possible, given the particular 122 crystallography, and that t…
We investigated the superconducting properties of the topological superconductor $α$--PdBi$_2$ at ambient and external pressures up to 1.77~GPa using muon spin rotation ($μ$SR) experiments. The ambient pressure measurements evince a fully gapped $s$-wave superconducting state in the bulk of the specimen. AC magnetic susceptibility and $μ$SR measurements manifest a continuous suppression of $T_{\rm c}$ with increasing pressure. In parallel, we observed a significant decrease of superfluid density by $\sim$20\% upon application of external pressure. Remarkably, the superfluid density follows lin…
We have studied the superconducting gap structure of LaPt$_2$Si$_2$ by measuring the temperature dependence of the London penetration depth shift $Δλ(T)$ and point contact spectroscopy of single crystals. $Δλ(T)$ shows an exponential temperature dependence at low temperatures, and the derived normalized superfluid density $ρ_{s}(T)$ can be well described by a single-gap s-wave model. The point-contact conductance spectra can also be well fitted by an s-wave Blonder-Tinkham-Klapwijk model, where the gap value shows a typical BCS temperature and magnetic field dependence consistent with type-II …
We report 75As-nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) studies on (Ca_4Al_2O_{6-y})(Fe_2As_2) with Tc=27K, which unravel unique normal-state properties and point to unconventional nodeless superconductivity (SC). Measurement of nuclear-spin-relaxation rate 1/T_1 has revealed a significant development of two dimensional (2D) antiferromagnetic (AFM) spin fluctuations down to Tc, in association with the fact that FeAs layers with the smallest As-Fe-As bond angle are well separated by thick perovskite-type blocking layer. Below Tc, the temperature dependence of 1/T_1 without any trace of the coherence …
Measurements of the London penetration depth and tunneling conductance in single crystals of the recently discovered stoicheometric, iron - based superconductor, CaKFe$_4$As$_4$ (CaK1144) show nodeless, two effective gap superconductivity with a larger gap of about 6-9 meV and a smaller gap of about 1-4 meV. Having a critical temperature, $T_{c,onset}\approx$35.8 K, this material behaves similar to slightly overdoped Ba$_{1-x}$K$_x$)Fe$_2$As$_2$ (e.g. $x=$0.54, $T_c \approx$ 34 K)---a known multigap $s_{\pm}$ superconductor. We conclude that the superconducting behavior of stoichiometric CaK11…
Unlike the hole-doped cuprates, both nodal and nodeless superconductivity (SC) are observed in the electron-doped cuprates. To understand these two types of SC states, we propose a unified theory by considering the two-dimensional t-J model in proximity to an antiferromagnetic (AF) long-range ordering state. Within the slave-boson mean-field approximation, the d-wave pairing symmetry is still the most energetically favorable even in the presence of the external AF field. In the nodal phase, it is found that the nodes carry vorticity and are protected by the adjoint symmetry of time-reversal an…
We report $^{31}$P- and $^{75}$As-NMR studies on (Ca$_4$Al$_2$O$_{6}$)Fe$_2$(As$_{1-x}$P$_x$)$_2$ with an isovalent substitution of P for As. We present the novel evolution of emergent phases that the nodeless superconductivity (SC) in 0$\le x \le$0.4 and the nodal one around $x$=1 are intimately separated by the onset of a commensurate stripe-type antiferromagnetic (AFM) order in 0.5$\le x \le$ 0.95, as an isovalent substitution of P for As decreases a pnictogen height $h_{Pn}$ measured from the Fe plane. It is demonstrated that the AFM order takes place under a condition of 1.32Å$\le h_{Pn} …
We grew the single crystals of the SnAs-based van der Waals (vdW)-type superconductor NaSn$_2$As$_2$ and systematically measured its resistivity, specific heat, and ultralow-temperature thermal conductivity. The superconducting transition temperature $T_c$ = 1.60 K of our single crystal is 0.3 K higher than that previously reported. A weak but intrinsic anomaly situated at 193 K is observed in both resistivity and specific heat, which likely arises from a charge-density-wave (CDW) instability. Ultralow-temperature thermal conductivity measurements reveal a fully-gapped superconducting state wi…
The thermal conductivity of the iron-based superconductor FeSe was measured at temperatures down to 50 mK in magnetic fields up to 17 T. In zero magnetic field, the electronic residual linear term in the T = 0 limit, κ_0/T, is vanishingly small. Application of a magnetic field H causes no increase in κ_0/T initially. Those two observations show that there are no zero-energy quasiparticles that carry heat and therefore no nodes in the superconducting gap of FeSe. The full field dependence of κ_0/T has the classic shape of a two-band superconductor, such as MgB2: it rises exponentially at very l…
The optical properties of the new iron-based superconductor CsCa$_2$Fe$_4$As$_4$F$_2$ with $T_c \sim 29$~K have been determined. In the normal state a good description of the low-frequency response is obtained with a superposition of two Drude components of which one has a very low scattering rate (narrow Drude-peak) and the other a rather large one (broad Drude-peak). Well below $T_c \sim 29$~K, a pronounced gap feature is observed which involves a complete suppression of the optical conductivity below $\sim$ 110~cm$^{-1}$ and thus is characteristic of a nodeless superconducting state. The op…
High resolution angle-resolved photoemission measurements have been carried out to study the superconducting gap in the (Ba0.6K0.4)Fe2As2 superconductor with Tc=35 K. Two hole-like Fermi surface sheets around the G(0,0) point exhibit different superconducting gaps. The inner Fermi surface sheet shows larger (10-12 meV) and slightly momentum-dependent gap while the outer one has smaller (7-8 meV) and nearly isotropic gap. The lack of gap node in both Fermi surface sheets favours s-wave superconducting gap symmetry. Superconducting gap opening is also observed at the M(pi,pi) point. The two Ferm…
We report the single-crystal synthesis and detailed investigations of the cage-type superconductor Sc5Ru6Sn18, using powder x-ray diffraction (XRD), magnetization, specific-heat and muon-spin relaxation (muSR) measurements. Sc5Ru6Sn18 crystallizes in a tetragonal structure (space group I41/acd) with the lattice parameters a = 1.387(3) nm and c = 2.641(5) nm. Both DC and AC magnetization measurements prove the type-II superconductivity in Sc5Ru6Sn18 with Tc = 3.5(1) K, a lower critical field H_c1 (0) = 157(9) Oe and an upper critical field, H_c2 (0) = 26(1) kOe. The zero-field electronic specif…
High resolution angle-resolved photoemission measurements have been carried out to study the electronic structure and superconducting gap of the (Tl$_{0.58}$Rb$_{0.42}$)Fe$_{1.72}$Se$_2$ superconductor with a T$_c$=32 K. The Fermi surface topology consists of two electron-like Fermi surface sheets around $Γ$ point which is distinct from that in all other iron-based compounds reported so far. The Fermi surface around the M point shows a nearly isotropic superconducting gap of $\sim$12 meV. The large Fermi surface near the $Γ$ point also shows a nearly isotropic superconducting gap of $\sim$15 m…
The in-plane thermal conductivity $κ$ of the iron selenide superconductor FeSe$_x$ ($T_c$ = 8.8 K) were measured down to 120 mK and up to 14.5 T ($\simeq 3/4 H_{c2}$). In zero field, the residual linear term $κ_0/T$ at $ T \to 0$ is only about 16 $μ$W K$^{-2}$ cm$^{-1}$, less than 4% of its normal state value. Such a small $κ_0/T$ does not support the existence of nodes in the superconducting gap. More importantly, the field dependence of $κ_0/T$ in FeSe$_x$ is very similar to that in NbSe$_2$, a typical multi-gap s-wave superconductor. We consider our data as strong evidence for multi-gap nod…
The characteristics of Fe-based superconductors are manifested in their electronic, magnetic properties, and pairing symmetry of the Cooper pair, but the latter remain to be explored. Usually in these materials, superconductivity coexists and competes with magnetic order, giving unconventional pairing mechanisms. We report on the results of the bulk magnetization measurements in the superconducting state and the low-temperature specific heat down to 0.4 K for BaFe$_{2-x}$Ni$_{x}$As$_{2}$ single crystals. The {electronic} specific heat displays a pronounced anomaly at the superconducting transi…
We study the electronic structure and superconductivity in CuO$_2$ monolayer grown recently on $d$-wave cuprate superconductor Bi$_2$Sr$_2$CaCu$_2$O$_{8+δ}$. Density functional theory calculations indicate significant charge transfer across the interface such that the CuO$_2$ monolayer is heavily overdoped into the hole-rich regime yet inaccessible in bulk cuprates. We show that both the Cu $d_{x^2-y^2}$ and $d_{3z^2-r^2}$ orbitals become important and the Fermi surface contains one electron and one hole pocket associated with the two orbitals respectively. Constructing a minimal correlated tw…
A newly discovered family of high-Tc Fe-based superconductors, AeAFe4As4 (Ae = Ca, Sr, Eu and A = K, Rb, Cs), offers further opportunities to understand unconventional superconductivity in these materials. In this Rapid Communication, we report on the superconducting and magnetic properties of CaKFe4As4, studied using muon spectroscopy. Zero-field muon spin relaxation studies carried out on the CaKFe4As4 superconductor do not show any detectable magnetic anomaly at Tc or below, implying that time-reversal symmetry is preserved in the superconducting ground state. The temperature dependence of …
The superconducting gap is a pivotal character for a superconductor. While the cuprates and conventional phonon-mediated superconductors are characterized by distinct d-wave and s-wave pairing symmetry with nodal and nodeless gap distribution respectively, the superconducting gap distributions in iron-based superconductors are rather diversified. While nodeless gap distributions have been directly observed in Ba1-xKxFe2As2, BaFe2-xCoxAs2, KxFe2-ySe2, and FeTe1-xSex, the signatures of nodal superconducting gap have been reported in LaOFeP, LiFeP, KFe2As2, BaFe2(As1-xPx)2, BaFe2-xRuxAs2 and FeSe…
Low-temperature thermal conductivity measurements were performed on single crystals of TlNi$_2$Se$_2$, a nickel-chalcogenide heavy-electron superconductor with $T_c$ $\simeq$ 3.7 K. In zero field, the residual electronic contribution at $T$ $\rightarrow$ 0 K ($κ_0/T$) was well separated from the total thermal conductivity, which is less than 0.45\% of its normal-state value. Such a tiny residual $κ_0/T$ is unlikely contributed by the nodal quasiparticles. Nodeless gap structure is supported by the very weak field dependence of $κ_0(H)/T$ in low magnetic fields. In the whole field range, $κ_0(H…
The noncentrosymmetric superconductor Re$_{24}$Ti$_{5}$, a time-reversal symmetry (TRS) breaking candidate with $T_c = 6$\,K, was studied by means of muon-spin rotation/relaxation ($μ$SR) and tunnel-diode oscillator (TDO) techniques. At a macroscopic level, its bulk superconductivity was investigated via electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, and heat capacity measurements. The low-temperature penetration depth, superfluid density and electronic heat capacity all evidence an $s$-wave coupling with an enhanced superconducting gap. The spontaneous magnetic fields revealed by zero-field…
We report a comprehensive study of the centrosymmetric Re$_3$B and noncentrosymmetric Re$_7$B$_3$ superconductors. At a macroscopic level, their bulk superconductivity (SC), with $T_c$ = 5.1 K (Re$_3$B) and 3.3 K (Re$_7$B$_3$), was characterized via electrical-resistivity, magnetization, and heat-capacity measurements, while their microscopic superconducting properties were investigated by means of muon-spin rotation/relaxation ($μ$SR). In both Re$_3$B and Re$_7$B$_3$ the low-$T$ zero-field electronic specific heat and the superfluid density (determined via tranverse-field $μ$SR) suggest a nod…
The transformation of the vortex lattice in a tetragonal superconductor which consists of its 45 degree reorientation relative to the crystal axes is studied using the nonlocal London model. It is shown that the reorientation occurs as two successive second order (continuous) phase transitions. The transition magnetic fields are calculated for a range of parameters relevant for borocarbide superconductors in which the reorientation has been observed.
The noncentrosymmetric superconductor Mo$_3$Rh$_2$N, with $T_c = 4.6$ K, adopts a $β$-Mn-type structure (space group $P$4$_1$32), similar to that of Mo$_3$Al$_2$C. Its bulk superconductivity was characterized by magnetization and heat-capacity measurements, while its microscopic electronic properties were investigated by means of muon-spin rotation and relaxation ($μ$SR). The low-temperature superfluid density, measured via transverse-field (TF)-$μ$SR, evidences a fully-gapped superconducting state with $Δ_0 = 1.73 k_\mathrm{B}T_c$, very close to 1.76 $k_\mathrm{B}T_c$ - the BCS gap value for …
We show that, by using unit-cell transformation between 1 Fe per unit cell to 2 Fe per unit cell, one can qualitatively understand the pairing symmetry of several families of iron-based superconductors. In iron-pnictides and iron-chalcogenides, the nodeless s+- pairing and the resulting magnetic resonance mode transform nicely between the two unit cells, while retaining all physical properties unchanged. However, when the electron-pocket disappears from the Fermi surface with complete doping in KFe2As2, we find that the unit-cell invariant requirement prohibits the occurrence of s+- pairing sy…
We consider the variation of the field-induced component of the specific heat $C({\bf H})$ with the direction of the applied field in $Fe-$pnictides within quasi-classical Doppler-shift approximation, with special emphasis to recent experiments on FeSe$_{0.4}$Te$_{0.6}$ [Zheng et al., arXiv:1004.2236]. We show that for extended $s-$wave gap with no nodes, $C({\bf H})$ has $\cos 4 ϕ$ component, where $ϕ$ is the angle between ${\bf H}$ and the direction between hole and electron Fermi surfaces. The maxima of $C({\bf H})$ are at $π/4$, $3π/4$, etc. if the applied field is smaller than $H_0 \leq 1…
We present data analyses of the thermal conductivity and specific heat of electron-doped Pr1.85Ce0.15CuO4-y. The zero-field thermal conductivity and specific heat of this optimally electrondoped system can be only explained by a nodeless gap symmetry. The magnetic-field dependence of the electronic specific heat in the vortex state is in quantitative agreement with an s-wave theory. Our quantitative data analyses provide bulk evidence for a nodeless gap symmetry in optimally electron-doped cuprates.
We study the effect of the lattice structure on the spin-fluctuation mediated superconductivity in the iron pnictides adopting the five-band models of several virtual lattice structures of LaFeAsO as well as actual materials such as NdFeAsO and LaFePO obtained from the maximally-localized Wannier orbitals. Random phase approximation is applied to the models to solve the Eliashberg equation. This reveals that the gap function and the strength of the superconducting instability are determined by the cooperation or competition among multiple spin fluctuation modes arising from several nestings am…
Although nodeless superconducting gap has been observed on the large Fermi pockets around the zone corner in KxFe2-ySe2, whether its pairing symmetry is s-wave or nodeless d-wave is still under intense debate. Here we report an isotropic superconducting gap distribution on the small electron Fermi pocket around the Z point in KxFe2-ySe2, which favors the s-wave pairing symmetry.
The full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method with the generalized gradient approximation for the exchange and correlation potential (LAPW-GGA) is used to understand the electronic band structure of fluorine-arsenide SrFeAsF as a possible parent material for a new group of oxygen-free FeAs superconductors. The electronic bands, density of states, Fermi surface and atomic charges have been evaluated and discussed for high-temperature tetragonal and low-temperature orthorhombic SrFeAsF phases.
LiFeAs is one of the new class of iron superconductors with a bulk onset Tc in the 15-17 K range. We report on the specific heat characterization of single crystal material prepared from self-flux growth techniques with significantly improved properties, including a much decreased residual gamma (proportional to C/T as T->0) in the superconducting state. Thus, in contrast to previous explanations of a finite residual gamma in LiFeAs being due to intrinsic states in the superconducting gap, the present work shows that such a finite residual gamma in LiFeAs is instead a function of sample qualit…
We carried out high resolution angle-resolved photoemission measurements on the electronic structure and superconducting gap of K_0.68Fe_1.79Se_2 (T_c=32 K) and (Tl_0.45K_0.34)Fe_1.84Se_2 (T_c=28 K) superconductors. In addition to the electron-like Fermi surface near M(π,π), two electron-like Fermi pockets are revealed around the zone center Γ(0,0) in K0.68Fe1.79Se_2. This observation makes the Fermi surface topology of K_0.68Fe_1.79Se_2 consistent with that of (Tl,Rb)_xFe_{2-y}Se_2 and (Tl,K)_xFe_{2-y}Se_2 compounds. A nearly isotropic superconducting gap (Δ) is observed along the electron-li…
Epitaxial bilayer films of Bi(110) and Ni host a time-reversal symmetry (TRS) breaking superconducting order with an unexpectedly high transition temperature $T_c = 4.1$ K. Using time-domain THz spectroscopy, we measure the low energy electrodynamic response of a Bi/Ni bilayer thin film from $0.2$ THz to $2$ THz as a function of temperature and magnetic field. We analyze the data in the context of a BCS-like superconductor with a finite normal-state scattering rate. In zero magnetic field, all states in the film become fully gapped, providing important constraints into possible pairing symmetr…
Domain walls in a tetragonal chiral p-wave superconductors with broken time reversal symmetry are analyzed in the framework of the Ginsburg-Landau theory. The energy and the jump of the magnetic induction on the wall were determined for different types of walls as functions of the parameters of the Ginzburg-Landau theory and orientation of the domain wall with respect to the crystallographic axes. We discuss implications of the analysis for $Sr_{2}RuO_{4}$, where no stray magnetic fields from domain walls were detected experimentally.
We report a comprehensive study of the noncentrosymmetric superconductor Mo$_3$P. Its bulk superconductivity, with $T_c = 5.5$ K, was characterized via electrical resistivity, magnetization, and heat-capacity measurements, while its microscopic electronic properties were investigated by means of muon-spin rotation/relaxation ($μ$SR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. In the normal state, NMR relaxation data indicate an almost ideal metallic behavior, confirmed by band-structure calculations, which suggest a relatively high electron density of states, dominated by the Mo $4d$-orbi…
Motivated by the recent observations of nodeless superconductivity in the monolayer CuO$_{2}$ grown on the Bi$_{2}$Sr$_{2}$CaCu$_{2}$O$_{8+δ}$ substrates, we study the two-dimensional superconducting (SC) phases described by the two-dimensional $t$-$J$ model in proximity to an antiferromagnetic (AF) insulator. We found that (i) the nodal d-wave SC state can be driven via a continuous transition into a nodeless d-wave pairing state by the proximity induced AF field. (ii) The energetically favorable pairing states in the strong field regime have extended s-wave symmetry and can be nodal or nodel…
The issue of whether the quantum critical point (QCP) is hidden inside unconventional superconductors is a matter of hot debate. Although a prominent experiment on London penetration depth has demonstrated the existence of the QCP in the isovalent-doped iron-based superconductor BaFe$_2$(As$_{1-x}$P$_x$)$_2$, with the observation of a sharp peak in the penetration depth in the vicinity of the disappearance of magnetic order at zero temperature, the nature of such an emerging QCP remains unclear. Here, we provide a unique picture to understand well the phenomena of the QCP based on the framewor…
We investigate the pairing in iron pnictides in the coexistence phase, which displays both superconducting and antiferromagnetic orders. By solving the pairing problem on the Fermi surface reconstructed by long-range magnetic order, we find that the pairing interaction necessarily becomes angle-dependent, even if it was isotropic in the paramagnetic phase, which results in an angular variation of the superconducting gap along the Fermi surfaces. We find that the gap has no nodes for a small antiferromagnetic order parameter M, but may develop accidental nodes for intermediate values of M, when…
Monolayer FeSe exhibits the highest transition temperature among the iron based superconductors and appears to be fully gapped, seemingly consistent with $s$-wave superconductivity. Here, we develop a theory for the superconductivity based on coupling to fluctuations of checkerboard magnetic order (which has the same translation symmetry as the lattice). The electronic states are described by a symmetry based ${\bf k}\cdot {\bf p}$-like theory and naturally account for the states observed by angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy. We show that a prediction of this theory is that the resulta…
The in-plane thermal conductivity $κ$ of overdoped FeAs-based superconductor BaFe$_{1.73}$Co$_{0.27}$As$_2$ ($T_c$ = 8.1 K) single crystal was measured down to 80 mK. In zero field, the residual linear term $κ_0/T$ is negligible, suggesting a nodeless superconducting gap in the $ab$-plane. In magnetic field, $κ_0/T$ increases rapidly, very different from that of conventional s-wave superconductors. This anomalous $κ_0/T(H)$ may reveal an exotic superconducting gap structure in overdoped BaFe$_{1.73}$Co$_{0.27}$As$_2$: the vanishing hole ($β$) pocket has a much larger gap than the electron ($γ$…
We investigate the superconducting properties of Sc$_{5}$Co$_{4}$Si$_{10}$ using low-temperature resistivity, magnetization, heat capacity, and muon-spin rotation and relaxation ($μ$SR) measurements. We find that Sc$_{5}$Co$_{4}$Si$_{10}$ {exhibits type-II} superconductivity with a superconducting transition temperature $T_\mathrm{C}= 3.5 (1)$\,K. The temperature dependence of the superfluid density obtained from transverse-field $μ$SR spectra is best modeled using an isotropic Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer type $s$-wave gap symmetry with $2Δ/k_\mathrm{B}T_\mathrm{C} = 2.84(2)$. However, the zero-…
The in-plane thermal conductivity of iron-based superconductor Ca$_{10}$(Pt$_{4-δ}$As$_8$)((Fe$_{1-x}$Pt$_{x}$)$_2$As$_2$)$_5$ single crystal (``10-4-8", $T_c$ = 22 K) was measured down to 80 mK. In zero field, the residual linear term $κ_0/T$ is negligible, suggesting nodeless superconducting gaps in this multiband compound. In magnetic fields, $κ_0/T$ increases rapidly, which mimics those of multiband superconductor NbSe$_2$ and LuNi$_2$B$_2$C with highly anisotropic gap. Such a field dependence of $κ_0/T$ is an evidence for multiple superconducting gaps with quite different magnitudes or hi…
Effect of tetragonal distortion on the electronic structure, dynamical properties and superconductivity in Mo$_3$Sb$_7$ is analyzed using first principles electronic structure and phonon calculations. Rigid muffin tin approximation (RMTA) and McMillan formulas are used to calculate the electron-phonon coupling constant $λ$ and superconducting critical temperature. Our results show, that tetragonal distortion has small, but beneficial effect on superconductivity, slightly increasing $λ$, and the conclusion that the electron-phonon mechanism is responsible for the superconductivity in Mo$_3$Sb$_…
