Rotational tuning of H{sub c2} anomalies in ErNi{sub 2}B{sub 2}C: Angular-dependent superzone gap formation and its effect on the superconducting ground state
- Ames Laboratory and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011 (United States)
ErNi{sub 2}B{sub 2}C is a member of the RNi{sub 2}B{sub 2}C family of magnetic superconductors, with T{sub c}{approx_equal}11 K and T{sub N}{approx_equal}6 K. For magnetic fields applied along the magnetically hard c axis, the upper critical field H{sub c2} manifests a clear, sharp local maximum at T{sub N}. For magnetic fields applied within the basal plane, features in H{sub c2} are less distinct and there are field induced changes in the local magnetic ordering. In order to address the relationship between H{sub c2} and local moment order, anisotropic magnetic and transport measurements on single crystals of ErNi{sub 2}B{sub 2}C will be presented. In particular, detailed H-T phase diagrams for different orientations of the applied field, as well as possible evidence of a superzone gap formation at the antiferromagnetic phase transition and its effect on anisotropic upper critical field, will be discussed. The anomaly in H{sub c2} as well as sharp features in the normal-state resistivity can be tuned by changing the orientation of the applied field. This is consistent with tuning in and out of the 0.55a* magnetically ordered, superzone gapped phase. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
- OSTI ID:
- 20216782
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, Vol. 61, Issue 22; Other Information: PBD: 1 Jun 2000; ISSN 1098-0121
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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