Non-Centrosymmetric Topological Superconductivity
- Univ. of Maryland, College Park, MD (United States)
We have pursued a joint experimental and theoretical effort to focus on understanding the topological superconducting state of the non-centrosymmetric half-Heusler family, with particular emphasis on the material YPtBi. We completed a thorough study of the palladium-based rare earth-bismuthide (RPdBi) half-Heusler family, synthesizing high-quality crystalline specimens and fully characterizing their normal, superconducting and magnetic states in an effort to reveal their potential for realizing the next generation of topological insulators and superconductors. We synthesized the series of heavy-R compounds, including Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm magnetic rare earths as well as Y and Lu non-magnetic elements. Electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements of the RPdBi series has been performed down to 20 mK temperatures, revealing an interesting progression of superconducting phase transitions that evolves with rare earth species. We have found that superconductivity exists in most of these compounds, with a maximum transition Tc = 1.6 K found in the non-magnetic Y- and Lu-based compounds, and is systematically suppressed with increasing strength of magnetism from the magnetic rare earth species. Neutron scattering experiments have confirmed long-ranged antiferromagnetic order which presents a representative scan of magnetic peaks in DyPdBi (TN=3.5 K) and the AFM order parameter in TbPdBi (TN=4.9 K).
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Maryland, College Park, MD (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
- DOE Contract Number:
- SC0010605
- OSTI ID:
- 1507363
- Report Number(s):
- DOE-UMD-10605
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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